The Orlando Magic (5-20) travel to the Golden 1 Center Wednesday to take on the Sacramento Kings (10-14). Tip-off is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Magic at Kings odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Magic are coming into this game following a 126-95 blowout loss at the Golden State Warriors Monday. They did hang with the Warriors for the first quarter and were even ahead for a good bit.
Typically heavy underdogs, the Magic are actually 3-3 against the spread over their last 6.
At 11-14, they’re one of the worst covering teams in the NBA. The Kings aren’t much better, just 11-13 against the spread. At home, they’ll be heavy favorites.
Led by star G De’Aaron Fox, the Kings have disappointed bettors, covering just 4 of their last 10. Their dynamic offense is respectable though and has the league’s 16th-best offensive rating.
Magic at Kings odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:45 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Magic +230 (bet $100 to win $230) | Kings -300 (bet $300 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Magic +6.5 (-102) | Kings – 6.5 (-122)
- Over/Under (O/U): 219.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
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Magic at Kings key injuries
Magic
- SG Jalen Suggs (thumb) out
Kings
- SF Harrison Barnes (foot) questionable
Magic at Kings odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Kings 118, Magic 106
Money line
PASS. The Kings are at home and just not playable at -300.
Especially with Barnes potentially sitting, I wouldn’t put money that their shooters go cold, although I clearly don’t envision that happening. I’d still look toward the points for better value.
Against the spread
“LEAN” to the KINGS -6.5 (-122) as their offense will be just too much for the Magic’s atrocious defense.
The Magic have the league’s fourth-worst defensive rating. The Kings are right in front of them at No. 5. However, the Kings’ offense is far better and much more consistent.
The Kings rank 3rd in free-throw makes per game while the Magic sit at 16th on opponents’ free-throw rate. The Magic foul often, and the Kings will capitalize. The Magic have the league’s fifth-worst net rating on the road as well.
To top it all off, the Kings have a few defensive-minded guards in Tyrese Haliburton and Davion Mitchell. They’ll get to take on an inefficient point guard in Cole Anthony and a rookie in SF Franz Wagner. I’ll take the strong-willed defenders.
Given how the Kings score and how much the Magic foul, combined with already poor defense, I’d back the home side that has the most experienced players.
Over/Under
BET OVER 219.5 (-115) as both these teams just cannot defend at a high level.
The Magic rank in the top half of the league in offensive-rebounding rate while the Kings rank second to last in defensive rebounding, so there should be plenty of second-chance opportunities in this one.
Given that both teams rank in the bottom five in defensive rating, yet have solid offensive players, there should be tons of points in this one. Both teams also rank in the top half of the league in pace.
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