The Orlando Magic (5-18) travel to Toyota Center Friday to take on the Houston Rockets (5-16). Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Magic at Rockets odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Magic are coming into this game following a 108-103 win over the Denver Nuggets Wednesday.
Having lost by just five points to the Philadelphia 76ers the game before, Orlando has been playing well lately. Led by rookie G Jalen Suggs and second-year G Cole Anthony, the Magic are just 10-13 against the spread (ATS).
Suggs is out Friday and will be re-evaluated in two weeks for a fractured thumb sustained Monday.
The Rockets have also struggled to string wins together and are coming off a cover and win as road underdogs against the Oklahoma City Thunder. They’re led by C Christian Wood, who is probable for Friday. Orlando is 10-10-1 ATS.
Magic at Rockets odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:08 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Magic +122 (bet $100 to win $122) | Rockets -150 (bet $150 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Magic +2.5 (-105) | Rockets -2.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 216.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Magic at Rockets key injuries
Magic
- F Jonathan Isaac (knee) out
- G Markelle Fultz (knee) out
- G Jalen Suggs (thumb) out
Rockets
- G Kevin Porter Jr. (thigh) questionable
- F Jalen Green (hamstring) out
- C Christian Wood (ankle) probable
Magic at Rockets odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Rockets 113, Magic 108
Money line
PASS on the money line. Look toward the spread for value as most NBA games don’t end by one- or two-point margins.
Against the spread
BET on the ROCKETS -2.5 (-120) as it’s getting some heavy juice but still the better side.
The Rockets are riding high off a win in Oklahoma City. They’re playing better basketball without Green as the rookie is still figuring out the pace of the league.
The Rockets’ F Jae’Sean Tate, who has scored 15 or more points in three straight games, should be able to muscle smaller Orlando guards. He’ll be a key to Houston’s success.
The Magic have a defensive rating over 110 and that’s worth betting against. I’ll roll with Houston here.
Over/Under
BET on the OVER 216.5 (-110) as the better of the two sides. One reason to think the Over is a good play is the absolutely atrocious defense played by both teams this season.
The Rockets and Magic are both in the bottom ten in defensive rating. Also, we see some reverse line movement as more money is on the Under according to pregame.com yet this total is continuing to go up.
Furthermore, the Rockets play at the quickest pace in the NBA. They’ll push the ball in this one.
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