Phoenix Suns vs Orlando Magic betting tips and predictions for Thursday’s NBA game on NBA TV. Phoenix looks to end a 3-game losing streak as they host the Magic in what will be the 2nd and final meeting between them this season. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
Phoenix Suns
Losing their last 3 games has put a serious dent into the Suns’ hopes of catching the Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings who are ahead of them in the standings. Instead they now have to worry about the Clippers who are just a half game back in 5th place, so winning tonight’s game is almost a must if they intend on keeping hold of the 4th seed.
Orlando beat them fairly easily in the first meeting of the season 114-97 back in mid-November, the Suns were pretty much at full strength if we don’t count CP3’s absence. Despite the loss they still have an edge in head-to-head meetings having won 4 of their last 6 vs the Magic.
Orlando Magic
Orlando comes into tonight’s game on the heels of a pretty disappointing loss at San Antonio as the Spurs beat them 132-114. It was their 4th loss in the last 5 games, they’re now 4 games back of the 10th placed Washington Wizards in the East which almost certainly means they won’t be able to make the play-in tournament with just 13 games left in the regular season.
That’s okay though, this is a young team anyway and their goal this season was mainly to develop their players, so if they’re able to win 30 games it will be a successful season. Can they upset the Suns? It’s not out of the realm of possibility, Orlando has covered the spread 10 times in their last 15 road games, plus they are 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings with the Suns. They might be stripped of the services of Gary Harris though, who is questionable with a hip injury.
The Suns’ three-point shooting has been off the last 2 games as they made just 8 and 4 vs Milwaukee and Golden State. If that continues tonight, they will be in trouble. Orlando has actually been solid on the road lately, so let’s give them the benefit of the doubt and back them to cover.
Phoenix Suns vs Orlando Magic Predictions & Odds
With just 213.5 points per game averaged in the last 10 meetings between the two teams, this is actually one of the lower scoring match-ups in the NBA in the past few years. The O/U record in those 10 games is 4-6, while in games played at Footprint Center the under has cashed 9 times in the last 12 head-to-head.
We saw only 211 points in the first meeting of the season and we could be headed towards another low scoring game tonight as well. Phoenix is 6th in defensive efficiency this season, pair that with their 19th place on the pace rankings, it’s pretty obvious they rely on defense to win games. Orlando has only the 25th best offensive efficiency this year, so there could be issues scoring the basketball here, I say we back the under.
