Orlando Magic vs Denver Nuggets betting tips and predictions for Thursday’s NBA game at Amway Center. The Nuggets look to return to .500 on the road as they take a trip to Orlando to face the Magic who are coming off a loss to the Knicks. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
Orlando Magic
At 13-14 SU the Magic have been sub-par at home this season, but they have a chance to even things out with a win over the Nuggets here. The first meeting between the two teams played at Ball Arena was a tightly contested affair, with the Nuggets coming out on top 119-116. That was the 9th time the Magic had lost in head-to-head meetings against Denver in the last 10 games played.
At home they are only 1-5 SU in the last 6 meetings, so it will be anything but an easy task to get a win here. Gary Harris could return to the line-up following his leg injury, while Mo Bamba is still out serving his 4-game suspension. Orlando does have a decent track record of covering the spread in games vs Western Conference opponents, they’ve done so in the last 5 played. Rookie sensation Paulo Banchero has lived up to the hype so far this season averaging 20.2 points per game.
Denver Nuggets
Former Magic star Aaron Gordon had 25 points in the win earlier this season against Orlando, he successfully returned to the line-up following 1 game of absence with 24 points in the dominant win over Minnesota. The Nuggets scored 146 points in the win, continuing their hot run of high scoring games this season as they lead the NBA with the most efficient offense.
They also own the best record in the West at 38-17, with a comfortable 4.5 game lead over the 2nd placed Grizzlies. However, most people will be surprised to hear they are only 12-13 SU on the road this season, which is the only stain on an otherwise perfect season so far. Nikola Jokic has been tearing the league up, he’s currently averaging a triple-double for the season with 24.7 points, 11.3 rebounds and 10.2 assists.
The first meeting was decided by 3 points, and with Denver covering the spread only 10 times in 25 road games this season, I’m going to give an edge to the Magic here. They’ve been solid at home, surely they can keep this game close. Orlando to cover.
Orlando Magic vs Denver Nuggets Predictions & Odds
Head-to-head meetings have trended in a high scoring direction for a while now with 5 of the last 6 games cashing on that bet. Orlando has been a gold mine for bettors who like backing the over, their last 8 of 11 games at Amway Center have cashed on that bet, while for the season they are 16-11 on the O/U.
Denver has also gone over in 6 games straight, they are at full strength and when that’s the case they have the best offensive efficiency in the NBA scoring 115.8 points per 100 possessions. Although the two teams rank just 19th and 23rd in pace this season, backing the over might sound counterintuitive here, but I really feel like we’re going to see a game in the high 230s here. Back the points.
