Orlando Magic vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction, NBA Odds
The defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder, losers of three of their last five games, host the Orlando Magic Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET. In the first of two regular-season meetings between the clubs, neither side is coming in especially hot.
Orlando has lost five of seven overall, including two of its past three road games. Meanwhile, the Thunder have lost three of five overall and two of three at home, although OKC still has a league-best 21-5 record there. The Magic dropped a 112-103 decision on the road at San Antonio on Sunday. Desmond Bane had a team-high 25 points, and Paolo Banchero had 19 points and 10 rebounds.
Oklahoma City posted an impressive 121-111 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday. Reigning league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 34 points and 13 assists, and Cason Wallace added a career-high 27 points as the team made 19 3-pointers.
OKC is an 8.5-point favourite to win on the NBA odds, with the total set at 220.5.
Magic vs. Thunder NBA Betting Odds
The Thunder are just 1-6 against the spread in their last seven home contests, and have played to the Over in six of their previous eight games. Orlando is 1-8 against the spread in their last nine road contests, and 1-7 straight up at Oklahoma City. Something has to give tonight. Somebody has to win, and somebody has to cover.
Orlando is 8-15 against the spread on the road for the season, the third-worst percentage in the NBA, so keep that in mind.
Orlando Magic
The Magic continue to be without the services of Franz Wagner, who has missed the last six games with an ankle injury. He technically leads the team in scoring with 22.2 points per game, although he has only played in 22 contests.
Orlando historically struggles against the Thunder. The Magic are 3-7 in their last 10 games against OKC, and are 3-11 against the spread in their last 14 versus the Thunder. And with a 10-13 road record, the Magic don’t typically enjoy leaving the sunny confines of Florida.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Can you feel bad with a league-leading 39-11 record? You can if, like the Thunder, you started the season 24-1. It’s repeat or bust for the Thunder, who have played to the Over in six of their last eight games and lead the league in scoring with 120.3 points per game, and scoring defence at 108 points allowed per game.
OKC is the only squad in the league with a double-digit scoring differential. That could be tested this evening as Chet Holmgren, who is suffering from lower back spasms, is listed as questionable. Holmgren is the team’s second-leading scorer. Jalen Williams, the third, is already confirmed out this evening. Isaiah Hartenstein, who is averaging 10.9 points and a team-high 10 rebounds per contest, is also questionable with a calf injury.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Magic vs. Thunder?
The league’s early February doldrums could affect both teams, especially the potentially short-handed Thunder, who are 5.5 games ahead of the Spurs at the top of the Western Conference. However, SGA and OKC don’t like losing at home. Yet, they have done just that four times in their past 11 games, after starting the season 14-0 at Paycom Center.
This is a secretly important game for the Thunder, who need to regain their mojo in front of their supporting fans. Look for Oklahoma City to ride Gilgeous-Alexander to a 118-108 victory.
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OKC