Orlando Magic (15-11) vs. Denver Nuggets (19-6)
December 18, 2025 9:00 pm EDT
The Line: Denver Nuggets -7.5; Over/Under: 236.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Orlando Magic and the Denver Nuggets duke it out at the Ball Arena on Thursday night. Here’s a Nuggets vs Magic Prediction. This article will include a Nuggets vs Magic Pick.
Orlando Magic Betting Preview
The Orlando Magic have been in pretty good form as they’ve won eight of their last 12 games overall. But they will be looking to bounce back in this one after getting bounced out in the NBA Cup by the Knicks in a 132-120 loss on Saturday. Jalen Suggs led the team with 26 points and seven assists, Paolo Banchero added 25 points with eight rebounds and three assists, while Desmond Bane chipped in with 18 points and seven assists. As a team, the Magic shot 46 percent from the field and 13 of 42 from the 3-point line, but they struggled to contain the Knicks from the start and were always fighting an uphill battle after allowing 71 points in the first half. Anthony Black had a quiet game of just 12 points on five of 15 shooting, while Tristan da Silva had a rough game as he shot zero of five from the field to finish scoreless.
Denver Nuggets Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets are starting to heat up again, as they’ve reeled off six wins from their last seven games overall. They will be gunning for a sixth straight victory after sneaking past the Rockets in a 128-125 overtime win on Monday. Nikola Jokic led the team with a triple-double of 39 points with 15 rebounds and 10 assists on 13 of 27 shooting, Jamal Murray added 35 points with five assists on nine of 17 shooting while Cameron Johnson chipped in with 13 points. As a team, the Nuggets shot 51 percent from the field and 15 of 34 from the 3-point line as they were able to force overtime thanks to a controversial foul with just 2.3 seconds left in the fourth quarter. They scored the first seven points in overtime to slip away in the end.
Why the Denver Nuggets will win
- The Nuggets have won each of their last eight games against Southeast Division opponents that held a winning record.
- The Magic have lost 10 of their last 11 games against Northwest Division opponents.
- The Nuggets have covered the spread in eight of their last nine home games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Magic have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six games.
Why the Orlando Magic will win
- The underdogs have won each of the Nuggets’ last five games at Ball Arena.
- The Nuggets have lost each of their last four games as home favorites.
- The Nuggets have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine night games at Ball Arena following an overtime win.
- The underdogs have covered the spread in each of the Nuggets’ last five games at Ball Arena.
Total Points Facts
- Twelve of the Magic’s last 13 games against Northwest Division opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Ten of the Nuggets’ last 11 games as favorites have gone OVER the total points line.
Denver Nuggets Player Facts
- Nikola Jokic ranks 1st amongst qualified players for assists per game (10.8) this season.
- Tim Hardaway Jr. has recorded 16 games with 1+ assists and zero turnovers this season – most of any player in the league.
Orlando Magic Player Facts
- Desmond Bane ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for FT% (93.8%) this season.
- Wendell Carter Jr. is one of only two qualified players in the league to be leading their team in rebounds per game (7.6) and three-point shooting percentage (42.9%) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Nuggets rank 1st in the league for points per game this season (125.6).
- The Nuggets rank 30th in the league for opponent turnovers per game this season (12.5).
- The Magic rank 1st in the league for opponent three-point field goals made per game this season (11.3).
- The Magic rank 1st in the league for opponent three-point field goal attempts per game this season (31.6).
Nuggets vs Magic Prediction
The Magic are still missing Jalen Suggs, Moritz Wagner and Franz Wagner, while the Nuggets have ruled out Aaron Gordon again with Tim Hardaway Jr and Peyton Watson both listed as questionable. The Magic were gaining some momentum before they ran into a red-hot Knicks squad in their last game. It doesn’t get any easier for them as they now have to travel to take on the Nuggets, who are riding a five-game win streak. I might have been tempted to take the Magic if the line was higher, but with the injury cloud hanging over Jalen Suggs, I prefer a play on the more consistent Nuggets. They are just on a roll at the moment.
