Orlando Magic (25-23) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (34-14)
February 2, 2024 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: Minnesota Timberwolves -6.5; Over/Under: +216.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Orlando Magic and the Minnesota Timberwolves collide at the Target Center on Friday night. Here’s a Magic vs Timberwolves Prediction.
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic have been in decent shape as they’ve split their last six games overall and they will be eager to build some momentum after taking down the Spurs in a 108-98 road win on Wednesday. Paolo Banchero led the team with 25 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, Franz Wagner added 20 points with eight rebounds and five assists while Wendell Carter Jr. chipped in with 14 points. As a team, the Magic shot 47 percent from the field and seven of 20 from the 3-point line, but this win was more about their defense as they held the Spurs to just 21 points in the second quarter to take the lead into halftime, before they dominated the third quarter by 34-21 to take a 25-point lead and put the game to bed early.
Orlando Magic Team Facts
- The Magic have lost each of their last 14 games as road underdogs against Western Conference opponents following a win.
- The Magic have covered the spread in each of their last seven games as underdogs following a road win.
- Six of the Magic’s last seven games against the Timberwolves following a road win have gone OVER the total points line.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves have been in fine form as they’ve won eight of their last 11 games overall and they will be aiming for a third straight win after making light work of the Mavericks in a 121-87 home win on Wednesday. Karl-Anthony Towns led the team with 29 points, nine rebounds and four assists on 11 of 15 shooting, Rudy Gobert added 17 points with six rebounds and two blocks while Naz Reid chipped in with 12 points off the bench. As a team, the Timberwolves shot 56 percent from the field and 13 of 30 from the 3-point line as they went back and forth with the Mavericks in a tightly contested first half, before they completely dominated the second half by 69-39 to finish with one of their best wins of the season. The Wolves will face the Rockets after this game.
Minnesota Timberwolves Team Facts
- The Timberwolves have lost each of their last 10 Friday games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a winning record.
- The Timberwolves have covered the spread in 10 of their last 11 night games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a winning record.
- Each of the Timberwolves’ last five games have gone UNDER the total points line.
Magic vs Timberwolves Prediction
The Magic haven’t been setting the world on fire with their play recently, but they are back to full health and they looked great in their big win over the Spurs on Wednesday. The Timberwolves come into this meeting as the team in better form and they are coming into this one fresh off a monster win over the Mavericks, so it’s no surprise that they are favorites here. These two teams last met three weeks ago and it was the Timberwolves who rompted to a 113-92 road win and I’m expecting a similar result here with the Timberwolves winning again.
