The Orlando Magic (13-45) visit Pepsi Center Monday to take on the Denver Nuggets (31-25). Tip-off is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Magic vs. Nuggets odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Nuggets return home after a 110-109 win over the Raptors Saturday in Toronto as 5.5-point underdogs.
Denver has covered 4 straight and is 7-2-1 against the spread (ATS) over their last 10 games. Led by C Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets are 25-30-1 ATS overall but just 11-14 ATS as the home team.
As for Orlando, it has covered just 4 of its last 10. The Magic are playing their fourth straight road game. They failed to cover most recently against the Suns in a 132-105 loss as 16.5-point underdogs.
This will be Orlando’s 3rd game in 4 days. The Magic are 25-33 ATS, including 18-15 ATS on the road.
Magic at Nuggets odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:33 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Magic +550 (bet $100 to win $550) | Nuggets -850 (bet $850 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Magic +11.5 (-115) | Nuggets -11.5 (-107)
- Over/Under (O/U): 224.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
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Magic at Nuggets key injuries
Magic
- PG R.J. Hampton (knee) out
- C Moritz Wagner (rib) out
Nuggets
- PG Monte Morris (concussion) questionable
- PF Zeke Nnaji (hamstring) questionable
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Magic at Nuggets odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Nuggets 120, Magic 106
Money line
PASS.
The Magic have the second-worst record in the NBA, but even in a matchup like this, betting the Nuggets at -850 has no value and shouldn’t be considered.
Against the spread
BET NUGGETS -11.5 (-107). They are simply playing better basketball right now.
The Magic should be exhausted on the last leg of a 4-game road trip. The Nuggets shoot the 3rd-best percentage from the field, whereas the Magic rank 18th in opponents’ shooting.
Orlando’s real struggles come offensively, where it averages the 28th-most points per game and ranks within the bottom five teams in turnover rate and true-shooting rate, which factors in 3-point shooting.
The Magic are just 7-13 ATS in non-conference games as well. Their struggles offensively, on the road and against the Western Conference make the Nuggets the better way to play this game.
Over/Under
LEAN to the OVER 224.5 (-112).
The Nuggets are 29-26-1 O/U, while the Magic are 30-27-1.
Considering Orlando’s struggles to score, I wouldn’t wager a full unit, but their defense has been atrocious lately, allowing 114 points or more points in 6 of their last 7.
Orlando has missed 100 in 3 of its last 4 though, failing to top the Over in each. Each of Denver’s last 10 opponents have hit triple digits, and the Nuggets allow 107.6 points per game.
Denver is 14-10-1 O/U at home.
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