On Friday night, the San Antonio Spurs (2-6) will face the Orlando Magic (2-7) at the Amway Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Spurs at Magic odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Spurs are coming off a disappointing one-point loss to the Luka Doncic-led Dallas Mavericks. After starting the season with a 26-point win over the Magic, the Spurs have won just one of their last seven.
It’s been a brutal stretch, but the Spurs have played the Bucks twice, Mavs twice, Lakers, Nuggets, and Pacers. San Antonio may be 2-6, but this ultra-deep roster featuring PG Dejounte Murray should still be considered a playoff contender.
As for the Magic, the same cannot be said as they were the lone win for the only team in the Eastern Conference without multiple victories.
Led by second-year PG Cole Anthony and C Mo Bamba, the Magic have talent, but they are banged up. Considering that, the Spurs are road favorites.
Spurs at Magic odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 1:35 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Spurs -170 (bet $170 to win $100) | Magic +135 (bet $100 to win $135)
- Against the spread (ATS): Spurs -3.5 (-120) | Magic +3.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 211.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
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Spurs at Magic key injuries
Spurs
- PF Zach Collins (ankle) out
-
C Jakob Poeltl (health and safety protocols) out
Magic
- PG Markelle Fultz (knee) out
- PF Jonathan Isaac (knee) out
- SG Gary Harris (ankle) questionable
Spurs at Magic odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Spurs 111, Magic 104
Money line
“LEAN” to the SPURS (-170) as I don’t hate the value here. The Spurs beat the Magic by 26 points at home earlier this season.
San Antonio is just more experienced and more talented. Along those lines, the Spurs rank 17th in offensive rating while the Magic rank 27th in defensive rating.
It’ll be a good matchup for San Antonio, a team that ranks in the top five in pace. With only good losses, although I hate thinking any loss is good, the Spurs have shown more this season.
The Magic have beaten the Knicks in the second of their two-game miniseries and a Timberwolves team that shot under 40 percent from deep. With Murray’s length, this is not a good matchup for the surging Anthony.
Against the spread
BET on the SPURS -3.5 (-120) as the best side in this contest. San Antonio enters with the NBA’s best assist-to-turnover ratio. The Spurs take care of the ball.
The Magic, who rank in the bottom three in turnover rate, do not. That could easily be the difference. Considering how fast the Spurs play and how fast that will likely force the Magic to play, I expect a sloppy game from Orlando.
The Magic has only lost one game by less than five points. Expect a solid win for the Spurs.
Over/Under
“LEAN” to the OVER 211.5 (-115) because the Spurs will dictate the pace of the game.
The Spurs play at the third-fastest pace. Behind young players like Murray, F Keldon Johnson, G Derrick White and others, San Antonio should be looking to push the tempo.
No Poeltl may actually help the total as well. While he provides second-chance attempts and protects the paint, not having him could force San Antonio to play quicker.
If the Spurs dictate the game, as I expect, the Over should hit. Orlando has hit the Over six times in nine games.
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