Magic vs. Warriors Point Spread: NBA Odds, Prediction
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Charlie Grant
The Golden State Warriors are costing their backers a lot of money these days with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green both out with injuries. The Dubs try to pick up just their second ATS win in their last nine games when the Orlando Magic roll into the Bay Area on Monday night.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Orlando is riding high after taking care of LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday afternoon. The result pushes the Magic’s mark to 7-2 against the spread and 6-3 straight up over the last nine contests.
The Under is 3-0 in Orlando’s last three games and 13-7 on the campaign. The Magic, at 10-10, are playing potential playoff team. They’re in a cluster of teams .500-ish teams in the Eastern Conference and just a half game and a half back of Detroit for fourth place in the East standings.
Making the postseason would be no small feat for the franchise. The NBA fans in Orlando haven’t seen playoff basketball since 2012. Just don’t expect the Magic to pull off a miracle if they do make it to the playoffs. Orlando’s odds to win the NBA championship are still on the long side at Sports Interaction. SIA’s future book lists the Magic at (insert odds) to win the title.
Speaking of the champions, the defending champs continue to go through a rocky spell. They’re no longer losing games out right but they aren’t covering the spread. Golden State is 3-5 straight up and 1-7 ATS over its last eight matchups.
Orlando Magic
Orlando can thank Nikola Vucevic for its win over the Lakers on Sunday. The veteran big man had one of his best games of the season and finished with 31 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists and three blocks. He could be in line for another monster performance on Monday.
Golden State struggles to defend the paint without Draymond Green in the lineup. The former Defensive Player of the Year winner excels at disrupting post plays and contesting opposing big men at the rim.
In the past week, Sacramento Kings rookie Marvin Bagley, Thunder centre Steven Adams and Spurs big man LaMarcus Aldridge have all put up 20-and-10 stat lines against the Warriors.
Golden State Warriors
There isn’t much finesse to the Warriors offence these days. Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson are the lone consistent threats and they are getting their shots up. The duo are averaging a combined 47.4 shots over the last five games.
That’s not a bad thing for the offence, but taking that many shots could have a negative impact on both Thompson and Durant at the defensive end of the court.
