Orlando Magic vs. Philadelphia 76ers Prediction, NBA Play-In Tournament Odds
Unlike Miami vs. Charlotte on Tuesday, this Eastern Conference play-in tournament showdown between the Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers is not a win-or-go-home situation. The loser will still have a chance to secure the eighth and final playoff seed in a showdown against the Hornets, who eliminated the Heat on Tuesday. Whoever wins between Orlando and Philadelphia will clinch the No. 7 seed and set up a first-round series against Boston.
These two teams faced each other three times during the regular season, with Philadelphia winning on two occasions – 136-124 at home on October 27 and 103-91 in Orlando on January 9. The Magic’s victory came via a 144-103 beatdown in Philly on November 25.
The Sixers are 1.5-point favourites to win on the NBA odds, with the total set at 223.5.
Magic vs. 76ers NBA Betting Odds
The 76ers were 6.5-point home underdogs without Joel Embiid and Paul George in the first head-to-head battle during the regular season. They were three-point home favourites with a full squad in January. Now the Sixers are going off as two-point favourites in their own arena even with Embiid sidelined, which has a lot to do with the fact that Orlando has not been playing good basketball in recent months.
The Magic are 3-1 ATS in their last four overall. The 76ers are 3-1 against the spread in their last four home games and 7-3 ATS in the last 10 head-to-head meetings. As for the over/under, the under is 3-0 in Orlando’s last three road games, 5-1 in Philadelphia’s last six overall and 5-2 in the last seven head-to-head matchups.
Orlando Magic
The Magic compiled a disappointing 7-9 in their last 16 regular-season games. They are coming off a nightmarish 113-108 loss at Boston this past Sunday that cost them either the No. 6 or No. 7 seed in the East and relegated them to this road game in the play-in festivities. The Celtics rested eight of their regulars – including Jayson Tatum and Jalen Brown – and still took care of a fully loaded Orlando squad.
There is at least some good news for the Magic. Their only players with any kind of injury designation are reserves Jonathan Isaac (2.6 ppg) and Jett Howard (5.5 ppg), who are out. Franz Wagner, who missed most of February and all of March, is back and averaging 17.2 ppg in April.
Philadelphia 76ers
Embiid underwent an appendectomy last week and is not expected to be available for any round of the play-in tournament. His status for a potential playoff series is uncertain. Of course, playing without their star big man is nothing new for the 76ers. They are often missing both Embiid and George, but at least George is healthy right now.
In Embiid’s absence, the home side will need star guard Tyrese Maxey to get going. Maxey is averaging 28.3 ppg, 6.6 apg and 4.1 rpg. However, the former Kentucky standout has been kept below his season scoring average in eight of the last nine contests.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Magic vs. 76ers?
It’s hard to have any confidence in Orlando right now. The Magic’s recent swoon includes a loss to an abysmal Indiana squad and losses by 52 points to Toronto and 29 to Atlanta. They haven’t necessarily waved the white flag on a season that began with high expectations, but they aren’t looking like a particularly motivated bunch. At home, Maxey and company should take care of business. Let’s go with the 76ers to win 113-109.
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