The Orlando Magic (14-19) head to the nation’s capital to play the Washington Wizards (10-22) in the Capital One Arena at 6 p.m. ET. We analyze Magic-Wizards odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
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Magic at Wizards: Key injuries
Magic
- PF Aaron Gordon (Achilles) questionable
- PG Michael Carter-Williams (shoulder) out
- SF Al-Farouq Aminu (knee) out
Wizards
- SG Bradley Beal (leg) questionable
- PF Rui Hachimura (groin) out
- C Thomas Bryant (foot) out
- C Moritz Wagner (ankle) out
- PF Davis Bertans (quadricep) out
- SG C.J. Miles (wrist) out
- PG John Wall (Achilles) out
Magic at Wizards: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Wednesday at 1 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Wizards 115, Magic 108
Moneyline (ML)
Let’s fade the Orlando Magic, who are at -167 but are terrible on the road (4-12), and BET WIZARDS +140 for a half or quarter unit. We are going to hit the spread harder to maximize our ROI on the Wizards but here’s the rationale for backing the Wizards:
Despite the Magic being ranked second in opposing PPG, I’d argue they actually aren’t a good defensive team. That stat has more to do with their pace of play (ranked 27th) than their defense, which ranks 17th in opponent’s field goal percentage (.457) and 21st in opponent’s 3-point percentage (.366). Also, the motivation is there for the Wizards who lost the previous two meetings between these teams. The injury report will be crucial here so keep an eye on it; Bradley Beal lit up the Magic for 42 and 34 points in two games this season and if he suits up Wednesday, expect him to feast on D.J. Augustin and Evan Fournier.
Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
Go bigger on an ATS BET on WIZARDS +3.5 (-106) since we love the game and it’s a safer play than the moneyline. The Wizards have covered four of the last five games against the Magic. Also, their defense has a much better chance at stopping the Magic — who rank 29th in effective FG% and 25th in offensive rating — than the Magic’s defense has at stopping a Wizards offense that has scored less than 100 points only once this season.
Over/under (O/U)
Once again the Wizards are pitiful on defense but they are an offensive powerhouse, and BETTING OVER 218.5 (-129) correlates with our handicap above. Since I envision a good game from the Wizards, the game should be played more to their tempo, which almost always equals more points. The Over cashed in both Magic-Wizards games earlier this season and BetMGM is trying to throw us off the Over scent. Their -129 price is an effort to persuade bettors away from taking the Over but we aren’t falling for it.
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