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The Orlando Magic (0-1) and Portland Trail Blazers (0-1) square off on Friday with tip from Moda Center set for 10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Magic vs. Trail Blazers odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
Season series: First meeting; tied 1-1 last season
The Magic won their season opener in dominate fashion, 116-86 over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday and easily covered the 4.5-point spread. Thirteen players on Orlando’s roster scored with PG Cole Anthony leading the way with 20 points. SF Franz Wagner hit 3 of 7 three-pointers and scored 19 points.
The Trail Blazers began the post-Damian Lillard Era with a 123-111 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers as 9.5-point underdogs. The Blazers had 6 players in double figures, led by Malcolm Brogdon with 20 and Anfernee Simons with 18.
Magic at Trail Blazers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 11:32 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Magic -135 (bet $135 to win $100) | Trail Blazers +110 (bet $100 to win $110)
- Against the spread (ATS): Magic -2.5 (-110) | Trail Blazers +2.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 223.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Magic at Trail Blazers key injuries
Magic
- G Kevon Harris (knee) out
Trail Blazers
- F Ish Wainright (calf) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Magic at Trail Blazers picks and predictions
Prediction
Magic 111, Trail Blazers 103
Moneyline
AVOID.
There is no getting around that the Trail Blazers are going to be among the worst teams in the NBA this season. They are unlikely to win 30 games, maybe not even 25. The Magic are on the upswing with a really good young core. I think they handle their business on the road despite the long trip to the West Coast.
While I believe they win, I don’t like taking them at -135. I’ll look to the spread instead.
Against the spread
BET MAGIC -2.5 (-110).
Orlando has won 2 of their last 3 meetings. I expect PF Paolo Banchero to take another step forward in his progression as a NBA superstar. While he only scored 12 points in the win over Houston, he averaged 20 points against Portland last season.
Orlando was 23-16-2 ATS on the road last season.
Over/Under
PASS.
I do not have a good lean in this game. If I was going to take a side, it would be the Under because that’s happened in 3 of their last 4 meetings. One team went Under and one team went Over in their openers. It’s also early in the season and teams are still getting their rotations set.
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