The Orlando Magic (5-21) travel to Staples Center Saturday to take on the Los Angeles Clippers (14-12). Tip-off is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Magic vs. Clippers odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Magic enter on a three-game losing skid. They lost to the Sacramento Kings despite scoring 130 points Wednesday.
Orlando is 11-15 against the spread (ATS) and the Clippers aren’t much better at 12-14 ATS. L.A. is 7-9 ATS as a home favorite.
With G Paul George out, it’ll be on G Reggie Jackson and company to get the job done Saturday. They’ve won two straight.
Magic at Clippers odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:33 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Magic +310 (bet $100 to win $310) | Clippers -410 (bet $410 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Magic +8.5 (-120) | Clippers -8.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 214.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
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Magic at Clippers key injuries
Magic
- G Jalen Suggs (thumb) out
Clippers
- F Paul George (elbow) out
- F Nicolas Batum (ankle) doubtful
Magic at Clippers odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Clippers 108, Magic 105
Money line
PASS on the money line.
The Magic have won just five games all season, so I’m not taking their +310. Similarly, the -410 tag on the Clippers doesn’t make much sense, especially with Los Angeles down its star forward.
Against the spread
BET on the MAGIC +8.5 (-120) as the better side of the spread. The sportsbooks clearly favor it as well as it’s getting the juice.
It’s more about the absence of George and the likely absence of Batum than anything else. The Clippers lost to the Kings by 9 points and beat the Jaylen Brown-less Boston Celtics by 3 in two games that George was sidelined.
The Magic’s offense ranks 28th on the season, but they have the 23rd best offensive rating over the last five games. They have the 12th-best true shooting percentage as well, so this team is playing much better basketball.
Even if they don’t win outright I’d favor the Magic to cover considering the Clippers may be without their two best wing defenders.
Over/Under
BET on the UNDER 214.5 (-112) as the Clippers are one of the best defensive teams in the NBA. Players like Jackson and G Eric Bledsoe will still be playing and helping control the Magic guards.
Bigs Mo Bamba and Wendell Carter Jr. will also bring length and rebounding for the Magic that should limit Clippers C Ivica Zubac.
Couple the length with the Magic having the fifth-worst turnover rate in the NBA and this could be a sloppy showing from both sides. The Under feels like the better play with that in mind.
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