The current 7- and 8-seeds in the Eastern Conference playoff hunt square off Monday as the Orlando Magic (24-32) visit the Brooklyn Nets (26-29) at Barclays Center for a 7:30 p.m. ET tip-off. We analyze the Magic-Nets odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
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Magic at Nets: Key injuries
Magic
- PG Markelle Fultz (calf) probable
- SF Gary Clark (knee) questionable
- SF Jonathan Isaac (knee) out
- SF Al-Farouq Aminu (knee) out
Nets
- PG Kyrie Irving (shoulder) out
- SF Kevin Durant (Achilles) out
Magic at Nets: 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 12:23 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Nets 108, Magic 100
Moneyline (ML)
The Magic +135 have one of the worst offenses in the NBA, while the Nets are one of the better defensive teams. Orlando is ranked 29th in points per game, last in field-goal percentage and 28th in 3-point percentage. Brooklyn is the seventh-ranked defensively rated team, and are ranked fourth in FG percentage and seventh in 3-point percentage.
So, where you’d think the Magic need to excel is points in the paint, but the stats indicate that might be tough. First, Orlando scores the 26th most points in the paint and Brooklyn is ranked 11th in opponent’s points in the paint. Second, Nets center Jarrett Allen and DeAndre Jordan are quality defenders to throw at Magic C Nikola Vucevic. They are Brooklyn’s top-rated defenders and are first and second on the team in rebounds and blocks per game. I lean NETS -162 — it’s only a lean because that is on the fringe of too much vig for an NBA regular-season favorite.
Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
BROOKLYN -3.5 (-106) has been playing good ball lately, while Orlando +3.5 (-115) has been slumping a little. The Nets are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games; the Magic are 1-6 ATS in their last seven. Orlando has won back-to-back games against Brooklyn — including a 101-89 win in their first meeting of the season — but both were on its home court. However, the Magic have been a bad road team all season and the Nets have played well at home recently. The Nets are 5-0 ATS in their last five games as a home favorite and 4-0 ATS in their last four home games vs. a team with a losing road record. Also, the Magic are 2-9-1 ATS when getting 3-4.5 points and the Nets are 5-5 ATS when laying 3-4.5 points. Bet the NETS -3.5 (-106).
Over/Under (O/U)
For all of Magic’s offensive faults, they are a good defensive team. They allow the least points per game, are ranked eighth in defensive rating and run the third-slowest paced offense in the NBA. Throw in the facts that the Nets are 20th in PPG, 25th in FG percentage and 3-point percentage, the recipe adds up to this game going Under. The past two Magic-Nets games have gone Under, and their combined O/U record is 50-57-4 this year. Bet the UNDER 214.5 (-115).
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