Tag: Amway Center

Pat Connaughton NBA Tracker: Dec. 27-Jan. 2

Pat’s going up and down right now.

While the Milwaukee Bucks keep winning, Pat Connuaghton is waffling. Over the past week, he had one good game, one that wasn’t so great, and another nice game. Talk about a player who’s hard to figure out right now.

The Bucks began the week with back-to-back road games against the Orlando Magic. Connaughton’s first game, played Dec. 28, featured a 10-point, five-rebound performance. When the Bucks and Magic met at the Amway Center again two days later, Connaughton had his lowest scoring game of the season with two points on 1-of-5 shooting from the field. When he started a New Year’s Day contest with the New Orleans Pelicans, he scored all nine of his points on three 3-pointers and also had six rebounds and three assists.

For the week, Connaughton averaged 7.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists a game. All the while, he shot 47.5 percent from the field, which included going 5 of 13 from 3-point range.

Minnesota Timberwolves at Orlando Magic odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Minnesota Timberwolves at Orlando Magic sports betting odds, with NBA matchup analysis and picks.

The Minnesota Timberwolves (17-40) visit the Amway Center Friday to play the Orlando Magic (26-32) at 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Timberwolves-Magic odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.

Timberwolves at Magic: Key injuries

Timberwolves

  • SG Allen Crabbe (personal) out
  • C Karl-Anthony Towns (wrist) out
  • SG Evan Turner (acquired) out

Magic

  • PF Jonathan Isaac (knee) out
  • SF Al-Farouq Aminu (knee) out

Timberwolves at Magic: 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 at 12:10 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Magic 119, Timberwolves 116

Moneyline (ML)

The Timberwolves +260 ended a five-game losing streak by pulling off a surprising road upset to an 11.5-point favored Miami Heat 129-126 Wednesday. Newcomers G Malik Beasley and G D’Angelo Russell combined for 48 points in the win. Beasley has 21+ points in five of the seven games he’s played for Minnesota since joining the team in a trade deadline deal, and Russell has scored 22+ in four of his five games since joining the Timberwolves.

The Magic -334 have played well lately, winning four of their last five games, including a 130-120 win at the Atlanta Hawks Wednesday. Orlando is an absolute NO-GO for a moneyline wager as its value is awful, but you could certainly take a flyer on Minnesota because +260 is a juicy number against a sub .500 Magic team. Officially though, I’ll PASS.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Both are better ATS road teams than at home. The TIMBERWOLVES +7.5 (-110) are 14-14-1 ATS on the road, while the Magic -7.5 (-110) are 10-18-1 ATS at home. Minnesota is 2-7 ATS in the last nine meetings at Orlando and is 5-16 ATS in the last 21 meetings, however, the two teams haven’t played yet this season. The Timberwolves have covered two of their past three games and, with both new guards healthy, they’ll keep this game close. The final differentiator in my handicap is their non-conference ATS records. Minnesota is 10-11-1 ATS against teams in the East and Orlando is an NBA-worst 7-13-2 ATS against Western Conference opponents. Bet TIMBERWOLVES +7.5 (-110).

Over/Under (O/U)

Minnesota consistently goes Over projected totals (33-24 O/U record) and Orlando tends to go Under (26-29-3 O/U). But their combined O/U record in non-conference games is 28-15-1, and the Timberwolves have the highest percentage of Overs in the league when playing Eastern Conference foes. Also, as an away underdog the Timberwolves have a 15-9 O/U record, clearing the projected total by an average of 8.1 points per game. Take the OVER 233.5 (-110).

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @Geoffery_Clark and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Atlanta Hawks at Orlando Magic odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Monday’s Atlanta Hawks at Orlando Magic sports betting odds, with NBA matchup analysis and picks.

The Atlanta Hawks (15-39) head to the Amway Center to play the Orlando Magic (22-31) at 7:00 p.m. ET. We analyze Hawks-Magic odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Place a legal sports bet on this NBA action or other games at BetMGM.

Hawks at Magic: Key injuries

HAWKS

  • SF Cam Reddish (hand) questionable
  • SG DeAndre’ Bembry (hand) out
  • C Clint Capela (heel) out
  • PF Skal Labissiere (knee) out

MAGIC

  • SF James Ennis III (acquired) probable
  • PG D.J. Augustin (knee) out
  • PF Jonathan Issac (knee) out
  • SF Al-Farouq Aminu (knee) out

Hawks at Magic: 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 at 1:00 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Magic 115, Hawks 100

Moneyline (ML)

The Magic (-358) have lost eight of their last nine games mostly because their offense has plummeted. Over those nine games, the Magic have scored the fewest points per game on the worst field-goal percentage and 27th-ranked three-point percentage. They also failed to score more than 100 points in five of those games. Despite their recent poor performance, the Magic are still seeded eighth in the Eastern Conference playoffs at the moment, which is a lot more than you can say about the lowly Hawks (+275). 

Atlanta has the third-worst record in the NBA but has won two of their last three games, including a double-overtime victory over the New York Knicks, 140-135, on Monday. The Hawks playing last night is what stops me from sprinkling a little action on their moneyline. They have a 1-8 record and are getting outscored 124.8-102.2 in the second game of a back-to-back. 

PASS ON A MONEYLINE WAGER.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The terrible Magic offense has a chance to break out of its slump when they meet an Atlanta defense that allows the second-most points per game and is ranked 27th in defensive rating.

Trends to factor in the handicap include:

  • Orlando is 6-5 against the spread in division games and at home against teams below .500 whereas Atlanta is 4-4 ATS in division games and 4-9 ATS in road games against teams below .500.

  • Atlanta is also 4-9 ATS when being spotted 7.5-9.5 points and Orlando is 2-2 ATS when laying that many points.
  • Atlanta is 2-7 ATS in the second game of a back-to-back with a -22.6 point margin of victory and -14.9 margin ATS. Orlando is 4-3 ATS with a rest advantage.
  • As a road ‘dog, the Hawks are 10-16 ATS with a -13.7 margin of victory.

BET MAGIC -8.5 (-110).

Over/Under (O/U)

STAY AWAY FROM THE TOTAL in Hawks-Magic. Orlando wants to play through center Nikola Vucevic at their fourth-slowest pace in the NBA. Also, the Under is 6-2 in the last eight meetings in Orlando. However, the Hawks has a 32-22 Over/Under record and they’ve allowed 120 or more points in seven of their last nine games.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @Geoffery_Clark and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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NBA family reacts to Kobe tragedy

NBA family and fans around the world mourn Kobe Bryant’s death.

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Brooklyn Nets at Orlando Magic odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Monday’s Brooklyn Nets at Orlando Magic sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Brooklyn Nets (16-18) ride a five-game losing streak to their 7 p.m. ET game against the Orlando Magic (16-20) at Amway Center. We analyze the Nets-Magic odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Place a legal sports bet on this NBA action or other games at BetMGM.

Nets at Magic: Key injuries

Nets

  • C DeAndre Jordan (knee) probable
  • SG Caris LeVert (thumb) out
  • PG Kyrie Irving (shoulder) out
  • SF Kevin Durant (Achilles) out
  • PF Nicolas Claxton (hamstring) probable

Magic

  • PG Michael Carter-Williams (shoulder) out
  • SF Jonathan Isaac (knee) out
  • SF Al-Farouq Aminu (knee) out

Nets at Magic: 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 at 1:30 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Nets 105, Magic 99

Moneyline (ML)

It’s a bummer that recently activated SF Caris LeVert won’t be able to suit up for this matchup but we are still on the NETS (+170) here. We all know all-star C Nikola Vucevic is key to the Magic’s success and he hasn’t faired well against Jordan in their 12 career meetings. Vucevic’s teams are 2-10 versus Jordan’s teams and Jordan holds Vucevic below his averages in field goal percentage (.436) and points per game (13.7). Also, both Jordan and regular Nets starter C Jarrett Allen have better offensive ratings than Magic bigs Vucevic and C Mo Bamba.

New to sports betting? Bet $30 on the Nets to win outright to earn a profit of $51.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The Nets need to break out of their recent slump and playing a Magic team, which they are 6-4 against straight up (6-3-1 against the spread), will do the trick. Back to the frontcourt advantage for Brooklyn: The Magic’s fifth-ranked opponent’s points in the paint defense will be tested against a Nets team fourth in the NBA in points in the paint. While the Magic themselves are ranked fifth in points in the paint, the Nets do a good job minimizing inside scoring—ranked eighth in the NBA.

Furthermore, I like how the Nets defend the three (ranked third in opponent’s 3-point percentage) compared to the Magic’s outside shooting (ranked 27th in 3-point percentage) and the Nets get the second-most rebounds per game while the Magic are ranked 28th in opponent’s RPG.

Bet NETS (+4.5, -106). New to sports betting? Bet $70 on the Nets +4.5 (-106) to earn a profit of $66.

Over/Under (O/U)

Neither offense is impressive—Nets are ranked 16th in PPG, the Magic are ranked 30th. The Nets are 24th in FG% and the Magic are 27th. Plus, their combined Over/Under record is just 32-36-2. The low total of 210.5 (Over: +105, Under: -130) has me PASSING.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @Geoffery_Clark and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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