The Orlando Magic (6-2) visit the Houston Rockets (2-4) Friday at Toyota Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Magic-Rockets NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Orlando has won back-to-back games entering Friday’s contest. Both were played in Cleveland against the Cavaliers with the first coming by a 20-point margin (103-83 Jan. 4) and the latter decided by 11 points (105-94 Jan. 6). The Magic suffered a big loss in the latest victory over the Cavs with starting PG Markelle Fultz suffering a season-ending torn ACL.
The Rockets have lost back-to-back games albeit to quality teams in the Dallas Mavericks (113-100 Jan. 4) and the Pacers (114-107 Jan. 6). Houston failed to cover the spread in both games. The Rockets’ issue seems to be a lack of offensive continuity as they have three players averaging over 23 points per game (G James Harden, PG John Wall and C Christian Wood) and SG Eric Gordon bringing in another 19.5 points per off the bench. Still, they rank only 18th in offensive rating and have the fewest assists per game in the NBA.
These teams split the two-game season series last year and both games were blowouts: Houston (-6.5) won 130-107 at Orlando in Dec. 2019, and the Magic (+7.5) won at Houston in March 2020.
Magic at Rockets: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:20 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Magic +190 (bet $100 to win $190) | Rockets -240 (bet $240 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Magic +6.5 (-120) | Rockets -6.5 (+100)
- Over/Under: 225.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Magic at Rockets: Key Injuries
Magic
- SG Evan Fournier (back) questionable
- PG Markelle Fultz (knee) out
- PG Michael Carter-Williams (foot) out
- PF Al-Farouq Aminu (knee) out
Rockets
- C Christian Wood (knee) questionable
- SF Danuel House (back) out
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Magic at Rockets: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Rockets 118, Magic 104
Money line (ML)
PASS ON THE MONEY LINE. Houston is the right side but no way would I recommend betting the Rockets (-240) to win straight up. The juice is too high for a team as out of sync as the Rockets.
Against the spread (ATS)
As much as I hate laying this many points, I have to take the Rockets given the Magic’s injury situation. Not only is rookie PG Cole Anthony replacing Fultz but the other backup PG in Carter-Williams is out and Fournier is dealing with a back issue.
Houston’s three-headed monster in the backcourt—Harden, Wall and Gordon—have to be able to feast in this matchup. If the Rockets don’t win and cover vs. the Magic it’s time to pump the breaks on betting them until further notice. Houston is just not clicking well enough offensively to bet this game heavy but I can put 1 unit on ROCKETS -6.5 (+100).
Over/Under (O/U)
BET UNDER 225.5 (-110) since the market is hammering the Under. According to Pregame.com, this total opened at 230.5 but more than 80% of the money is on the Under so the total has been dragged down. We are getting to the party a little late so I’d probably put less on my total bet compared to the spread.
Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Also see:
- Rockets injury updates: Danuel House Jr. still out; Christian Wood questionable (Rockets Wire)
- ‘He’s built for this’: Magic confident Cole Anthony can step in for Fultz (Rookie Wire)
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