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.
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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).
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