Orlando Magic (20-32) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (28-26)
February 3, 2023 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: Minnesota Timberwolves -5.5; Over/Under: -
(Get latest betting odds)
The Orlando Magic and the Minnesota Timberwolves do battle at the Target Center on Friday night.
The Orlando Magic have been in decent shape as they’ve split their last eight games, but they will be hoping to bounce back here after coming up short against the red-hot 76ers in a 105-94 road loss on Wednesday. Markelle Fultz led the team with 18 points on seven of 11 shooting, Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero each scored 13 points while Gary Harris and Cole Anthony each scored 11 points. As a team, the Magic shot just 37 percent from the field and six of 38 from the 3-point line as they held the 76ers to just 19 points in the second quarter to cut an early 14-point deficit to just three points going into halftime, only to go cold in the fourth quarter where they managed just 16 points to allow the 76ers to pull away in the end.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves have been in great form as they’ve won six of their last eight games overall and they will be eager to stay hot after outlasting the Warriors in a 119-114 overtime home win on Wednesday. D’Angelo Russell led the team with 29 points on 11 of 23 shooting, Anthony Edwards added 27 points with five assists while Naz Reid chipped in with 24 points, 13 rebounds and four assists. As a team, the Timberwolves shot 43 percent from the field and 14 of 50 from the 3-point line as they rallied back from a 14-point deficit to send the game into overtime where they restricted the Warriors to just four points to pull off one of their best wins of the season.
Looking at the betting trends, the Magic are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 road games, 5-1 ATS in their last six games against a team with a winning record and 20-8 ATS in their last 28 games overall. The Timberwolves are 5-1 ATS in their last six home games, 19-9 ATS in their last 28 games against a team below .400 and 4-1 ATS in their last five games overall.
Head to head, the under is 4-1 in the last five meetings overall, the Magic are 20-8 ATS in the last 28 meetings overall and the Magic are 12-3 ATS in the last 15 meetings in Minnesota.
The Magic have ruled out Chuma Okeke again and they have Jonathan Isaac listed as day to day, while the Timberwolves are keeping eyes on Bryn Forbes and Rudy Gobert who are both listed as questionable for this one. The Magic have shown that they can surprise teams as they’ve split their last eight games and were able to steal a win off the red-hot 76ers, but the Timberwolves are coming in as the form team here and they will be full of confidence following their gritty overtime win over the Warriors. This is a tough one to pick as the Magic are 20-8 ATS in the last 28 meetings overall, but the Timberwolves looked great in their last game and I think they can keep it going with another win at home.
