The Orlando Magic (4-17) travel to Wells Fargo Center Monday to take on the Philadelphia 76ers (10-10). Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Magic vs. 76ers odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
MVP finalist C Joel Embiid is back in action, but even 42 points from the superstar weren’t enough to get the 76ers the victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves Saturday.
The Sixers rank fifth in offensive rating and dead last in pace, so they play their style more often than not. They rank 11th in net rating (plus-1.3) and are 10-10 against the spread (ATS).
They take on a heavily-injured Orlando Magic team. Guard Cole Anthony and C Mo Bamba, whose statuses for Monday are out and questionable respectively, have led the Magic. Orlando is 8-13 ATS.
Magic at 76ers odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:13 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Magic +750 (bet $100 to win $750) | 76ers -1400 (bet $1,400 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Magic +13.5 (-107) | 76ers -13.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 204.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
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Magic at 76ers key injuries
Magic
- G Cole Anthony (ankle) out
- C Mo Bamba (back) questionable
- G Markelle Fultz (knee) out
- F Jonathan Isaac (knee) out
- G Terrence Ross (back) questionable
76ers
- G Ben Simmons (personal) out
- G Shake Milton (groin) questionable
Magic at 76ers odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
76ers 109, Magic 95
Money line
PASS on the money line.
Any regular-season NBA favorite is not worth -1400, and the +750 on the Magic isn’t worth chasing either as they’re without key players and would still likely be double-digit underdogs if they were in.
Against the spread
“LEAN” to the 76ERS -13.5 (-112) as the better side. I just don’t know who is going to score for Orlando.
The Magic won’t have a player take the court who is averaging over 14 points per game. They already have the fourth-worst offensive rating and the third-worst true shooting percentage so even with Bamba and Anthony they’re not getting the job done.
The Sixers do get the job done but they play at the slowest pace in the league, so topping a 13.5-point spread may not be easy.
Philadelphia has a top-five offensive rating and is third in turnover ate. I’m leaning towards them getting the job done with those things in mind, given the injuries to Orlando.
Over/Under
“LEAN” to the UNDER 204.5 (-107) as the 76ers play at the slowest pace in the NBA. They just don’t get up and down the court.
With the return of Embiid and F Tobias Harris, both of whom play primarily half-court style basketball and not much in transition, their pace may actually slow even further. They shouldn’t put up too many points Monday.
The Magic may struggle around the rim with Bamba potentially being sidelined and Embiid in action. I’m not sure who will step up in Anthony’s absense, but it’s doubtful Orlando will have an efficient game on the road. Breaking 100 points will be a challenge for them.
The current total is around the combined average of the two teams and I think the Under is the better play when you factor in in the injuries.
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