The Orlando Magic (3-0) visit the Oklahoma City Thunder (1-1) Tuesday at Chesapeake Energy Arena for an 8 p.m. ET tip-off. Below, we analyze the Magic-Thunder NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Magic at Thunder: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:48 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Magic -200 (bet $200 to win $100) | Thunder +165 (bet $100 to win $165)
- Against the spread/ATS: Magic -4.5 (-120) | Thunder -4.5 (+100)
- Over/Under: 218.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Magic at Thunder: Key Injuries
Magic
- PF Al-Farouq Aminu (knee) out
- SF James Ennis III (hamstring) out
Thunder
- SF Trevor Ariza (personal) out
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Magic at Thunder: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Magic 111, Thunder 102
Money line (ML)
PASS. The Magic (-200) are the right side in this one (more on that in a second), but I am not laying double my potential return for an outright win in any NBA regular-season game.
Against the spread (ATS)
Raise your hand if you said that the Indiana Pacers, Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic would be the remaining undefeated Eastern Conference teams after three games. No one, right?
The Magic are 3-0 after a surprising 113-107 victory against Southeastern Division rivals Miami Heat on opening night and winning back-to-back games over another divisional foe in the Washington Wizards this past weekend.
Oklahoma City was on the good side of a single-possession game with a 109-107 win at the Charlotte Hornets Saturday but lost at the Utah Jazz 110-109 Monday in a game they were leading by double-digits at one point.
The Thunder probably had the most roster turnover this offseason as three of their leading scores from last season’s team (Dennis Schroder, Chris Paul and Danilo Gallinari) and Steven Adams are no longer with the team. That puts a lot on the young shoulders of PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and SF Luguentz Dort.
As far as Magic-Thunder is concerned, OKC’s trade of Adams to the New Orleans Pelicans is the biggest factor. The Thunder did bring in veteran big C Al Horford, but his prime is behind him at this point. The only previous All-Star on Orlando’s roster is C Nikola Vučević. While he’s only fourth on the team in points per game, head coach Steve Clifford has no problem featuring Vucevic in the offense if he’s got a glaring mismatch.
Furthermore, the Magic have made the playoffs in back-to-back years and Vučević led the team in both points per game and win shares in both seasons. Expect Orlando to get a bunch of points in the paint and bet MAGIC -4.5 (-120) for 1 unit.
Over/Under (O/U)
Since the Magic have been a slower-paced, defensive-oriented team for several seasons now, I’ll “lean” UNDER 218.5 (-110) for a quarter-unit. The total has already been bet down from the 219.5-opening line, but the logic is overly simple for me not to like this play. It’s a low total and we are seeing the maturation of PG Markelle Fultz and 62-plus percent effective field-goal percentage from both G’s Terrence Ross and Evan Fournier.
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:
- Thunder can’t get another late victory, fall to Jazz (Thunder Wire)
- Hoops Hype Rumors: Magic | Thunder
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