Oklahoma City Thunder (20-6) vs. Orlando Magic (17-11)
December 19, 2024 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: Orlando Magic +6.5; Over/Under: +211.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Oklahoma City Thunder and Orlando Magic meet Thursday in NBA action at the Kia Center. Here’s an Orlando Magic vs Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction. This article will include an Orlando Magic vs Oklahoma City Thunder Pick.
Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Preview
The Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Rockets, lost to the Bucks, and they play the Heat, Wizards, and Pacers next. The Oklahoma City Thunder are averaging 115.6 points on 46.5 percent shooting and allowing 103.5 points on 42.4 percent shooting. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 30.3 points and 6.3 assists, while Jalen Williams is averaging 21.7 points and 6.1 rebounds. Chet Holmgren is the third double-digit scorer and Isaiah Hartenstein is grabbing 12.3 rebounds. The Oklahoma City Thunder are shooting 35.1 percent from beyond the arc and 81 percent from the free throw line. The Oklahoma City Thunder are allowing 33.1 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.7 rebounds per game.
Orlando Magic Betting Preview
The Orlando Magic lost to the Bucks and Knicks, and they play the Heat, Celtics, and Nets next. The Orlando Magic are averaging 107.7 points on 45.2 percent shooting and allowing 103.7 points on 46.2 percent shooting. Paolo Banchero is averaging 29 points and 5.6 assists, while Franz Wagner is averaging 24.4 points and 5.6 rebounds. Jalen Suggs is the third double-digit scorer and Moritz Wagner is grabbing 5.3 rebounds. The Orlando Magic are shooting 30.9 percent from beyond the arc and 78.5 percent from the free-throw line. The Orlando Magic are allowing 36.5 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 42.3 rebounds per game.
Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win
- The Thunder have won each of their last 10 games against Southeast Division opponents.
- The Magic have lost each of their last eight games against Thunder teams that held a winning record.
- The favorites have covered the spread in each of the Magic’s last nine games at Kia Center.
- The Magic have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games against Thunder teams that held a winning record.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Thunder’s last seven road games against Southeast Division opponents has gone OVER the total points line.
- Six of the Magic’s last seven home games against Western Conference opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
Orlando Magic Player Facts
- Jalen Suggs ranks 7th amongst qualified players for FT% (91.5%) this season.
- Goga Bitadze ranks 7th amongst qualified players for blocks per 36 minutes (2.5) this season.
Oklahoma City Thunder Player Facts
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is one of only two players in the league to have scored 25+ points in 10 straight games this season.
- Jalen Williams ranks 4th amongst qualified players for steals per game (2.0) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Magic rank 1st in the league for opponent rebounds per game this season (40.8).
- The Magic rank 1st in the league for opponent offensive rebounds per game this season (8.5).
- The Thunder rank 1st in the league for opponent points per game this season (103.5).
- The Thunder rank 1st in the league for point differential per game this season (+12.1).
Orlando Magic vs Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction
The Oklahoma City Thunder are going to get the benefit of the doubt from oddsmakers, but I’m also worried about a hangover from the NBA Cup. The Thunder are a young team, and it could take some time to recover mentally. Also, despite still being down Banchero and Wagner, the Magic are still a feisty team that plays hard and is 16-12 ATS on the season. The Magic don’t go down quietly. I’ll take my chances with the points.
