The Orlando Magic invade the Paycom Center to do battle with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night. Here’s a Thunder vs Magic Prediction. This article will include a Thunder vs Magic Pick.
Orlando Magic Betting Preview
The Orlando Magic have been struggling for form as they’ve dropped five of their last seven games overall. They will be eager to bounce back after having their two-game win streak halted by the Spurs in a 112-103 road defeat on Sunday. Desmond Bane led the team with 25 points, Paolo Banchero added 19 points with 10 rebounds and four assists while Anthony Black chipped in with 11 points. As a team, the Magic shot just 44 percent from the field and 10 of 30 from the 3-point line as they exploded for 40 points in the second quarter to climb back into the contest after trailing by 18 points early in the game. Before they went cold and scored just 18 points in the third quarter to allow the Spurs to wrestle back all the momentum. Jalen Suggs just couldn’t get it going all night as he shot just two of 13 from the field for his five points, while Wendell Carter Jr scored just two points on one of seven shooting.
Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder have been in great shape as they’ve won nine of their last 13 games overall, and they will be looking to stay hot after taking down the in-form Nuggets in a 121-111 road defeat on Sunday. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team with 34 points and 13 assists, Cason Wallace added 27 points on nine of 14 shooting, and Chet Holmgren chipped in with 14 points. As a team, the Thunder shot 47 percent from the field and 19 of 48 from the 3-point line as they played great defense at the start of the game to keep the Nuggets in check in the first half. Before they made their move with a 39-point burst in the third quarter to open up an 18-point lead and win comfortably despite a poor game from Luguentz Dort who scored just six points on two of nine shooting.
Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win
- The Thunder have won each of their last 11 home games on the first leg of a back-to-back.
- The Magic have lost each of their last nine games against Thunder teams that held a winning record.
- The Thunder have covered the spread in each of their last six home games on the first leg of a back-to-back.
- The Magic have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven Tuesday games against Northwest Division opponents that held a winning record.
Why the Orlando Magic will win
- The Magic have won each of their last five games as underdogs against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back.
- The Thunder have lost three of their last four games as home favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Magic have covered the spread in each of their last six games as underdogs following a road loss.
- The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight night games against Eastern Conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Magic’s last seven Tuesday games as road underdogs have gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Thunder’s last four home games following a road win have gone OVER the total points line.
Oklahoma City Thunder Player Facts
- Cason Wallace ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for steals per game (2.0) this season.
Orlando Magic Player Facts
- Desmond Bane ranks 1st amongst qualified players for FT% (93.6%) this season.
- Paolo Banchero is one of only two qualified players in the league to be leading their team in points (21.7), rebounds (8.8) and assists (4.9) per game this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Thunder rank 1st in the league for points per game this season (120.3).
- The Thunder rank 1st in the league for opponent points per game this season (108.0).
- The Magic rank 1st in the league for opponent three-point field goal attempts per game this season (32.9).
- The Magic rank 1st in the league for free throws made per game this season (21.6).
Thunder vs Magic Prediction
The Magic are still missing Franz Wagner, while the Thunder have ruled out Alex Caruso, Ajay Mitchell, and Jalen Williams, with Isaiah Hartenstein, Chet Holmgren, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander all listed as questionable. The Magic have been playing well below their best lately, and they could very well pull off the upset if the Thunder have to go to their second-string lineup with all the injuries they are dealing with. However, the Thunder can still get the job done if Gilgeous-Alexander is fit to play. Be sure to check the lineups before tipoff, but my current pick is for the Thunder to bounce back with a comfortable win at home.