Houston Rockets vs Orlando Magic 12/3/21 NBA Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Orlando Magic and the Houston Rockets collide at the Toyota Center on Friday night.

The Orlando Magic have really struggled lately as they’ve lost 10 of their past 12 games, but they will be looking to build some momentum after snapping a seven-game slide with a 108-103 home win over the Nuggets on Wednesday. Cole Anthony led the team with 24 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, Wendell Carter Jr. added 18 points with eight rebounds on eight of 11 shooting while Franz Wagner chipped in with 15 points and five assists. As a team, the Magic shot 54 percent from the field and just six of 27 from the 3-point line as they struggled to get going and trailed by as many as 16 points in the first half, before coming alive in the second half where they held the Nuggets to just 40 points to escape with the unlikely victory in front of an appreciative home crowd.

Meanwhile, the Houston Rockets have sprung to life with a season-high four straight wins, and they will be looking to stay hot after outlasting the Thunder in a 114-110 road win on Wednesday. Jae’Sean Tate led the team with 32 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and five blocks, Aaron Brooks added 18 points while Garrison Matthews chipped in with 14 points. As a team, the Rockets shot 50 percent from the field and 15 of 37 from the 3-point line as they struggled for most of the game and trailed by as many as 15 points in the third quarter, before they exploded for 41 points in the fourth quarter to steal the game late. Tate barely missed all night as he shot 11 of 15 from the field, Brooks shot seven of 10 while Christian Wood finished scoreless as he left after just nine minutes with an ankle sprain.

Looking at the betting trends, the Magic are 2-8 ATS in the last 10 meetings against a team with a losing record and 0-5 ATS in their last five games against a team below. 400. The Rockets are 16-37 ATS in their last 53 home games, 16-37 ATS in their last 53 games against a team with a losing record and 4-0 ATS in their last four games overall.

Head to head, the over is 3-0-1 in the last four meetings overall and the Magic are 8-3 ATS in the last 11 meetings in Houston.

The Magic have really been doing it tough lately, but they’re coming into this game with plenty of confidence after rallying back from a 16-point deficit against the Nuggets on Wednesday. The Rockets have been in great form recently and they will be aiming for a fifth straight win after pulling off a great comeback against the Thunder in their last outing. It’s hard to know what you’re going to get from the Rockets on a nightly basis, but there’s no denying that they’re playing some inspired basketball recently and I think they can stay hot with another win and cover here.