With Paolo Banchero still out, the Orlando Magic have doubled down on defense to win six of their last seven games heading into tonight’s clash with a Philadelphia 76ers team that’s gone in the opposite direction with its own injury woes.
Sure, Philadelphia has climbed off the mat with back-to-back victories, but both Joel Embiid and Paul George have been ruled out, and my Magic vs 76ers predictions side with Orlando as a road favorite.
My NBA picks for this December 4 matchup also point to the Magic’s edge on the boards and an unstainable burden on Tyrese Maxey’s shoulders.
Magic vs 76ers prediction
My best bet
Magic -5.5 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
There’s never a dull moment with the Philadelphia 76ers injury report, and some familiar names are listed for tonight, with George — after impressing in a season-high 37 minutes yesterday — and Embiid set to be in street clothes.
You won’t find that level of drama around the Orlando Magic. At 15-8, their tenacious, scrappy formula is filling the Banchero void, and I’m picking the visitors to deliver another stifling defensive performance at Wells Fargo Center.
Orlando is allowing the fewest points per game in the NBA (103.1) and can turn to tenacious perimeter defenders, from Jalen Suggs to Kentavius Caldwell-Pope to Anthony Black. That spells trouble for a 76ers team that’s in the basement for most offensive categories, including 28th in field goal percentage and 30th in made field goals per game.
The Magic are 14-9 ATS this year, and I’m comfortable laying the points, even though the visitors’ 6-8 road record pales in comparison to their 9-0 mark at home.
Orlando was embarrassed in New York last night, trailing by 31 points heading into the fourth quarter, and I expect a response tonight. The Magic edged a 98-86 rockfight against Philadelphia in mid-November, and they’ve won eight of their last 10 games.
Meanwhile, the 76ers have dropped four of their past five games at home, and it’s going to take more than a pair of victories over the Pistons and Hornets to revive Philly’s playoff hopes.
There’s not a lot to get excited about with the hosts’ second unit, especially with Jared McCain likely to jump back into the starting five, and those reserve minutes could be critical tonight as Orlando unleashes Mo Wagner, Jonathan Isaac, and Black off the bench.
With both teams on the second night of a back-to-back set, I see the Magic wearing down the 76ers and adding to the gloom in Philly.
Magic vs 76ers same-game parlay
Magic -5.5
Wendell Carter Jr. Over 6.5 rebounds
Tyrese Maxey Under 31.5 points + assists
Orlando should be in attack mode after a no-show last night, and there’s no escaping their huge advantage on the boards, with both Embiid and Andre Drummond ruled out.
That opens up a number of enticing rebounding props, but Wendell Carter Jr. is the one that stands out. He’s had 7+ boards in three of his four outings since returning from a foot injury, and I see him feasting against an undersized Philly frontcourt.
I’m also fading a big Maxey combo O/U. He’s walking into a sea of swarming Magic defenders here, and there won’t be many easy buckets with Orlando able to dedicate its defensive game plan to getting the ball out of his hands.
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Magic vs 76ers odds
Magic vs 76ers live odds
Magic vs 76ers opening odds
- Spread: Orlando -2.5 | Philadelphia +2.5
- Moneyline: Orlando -140 | Philadelphia +120
- Over/Under: Over 204.5 | Under 204.5
Odds courtesy of bet365.
Magic vs 76ers spread and Over/Under analysis
- This line opened at 2.5 before climbing quickly this morning after the news on Embiid and George — and it’s also a nod to the Magic’s 8-2 ATS record across their past 10 games.
- The 76ers are 2-7 at home this season, and they’re 6-13 ATS overall.
- Both teams have hit the Over in three of their last four contests, but the Under has been a winning ticket in four of their past six meetings.
- The Magic have held six of their last 10 opponents to 100 points or fewer.
Magic vs 76ers trend
The 76ers have cashed the first-half Under in 34 of their last 54 games. Find more NBA betting trends for Magic vs. 76ers.
How to watch Magic vs 76ers
| Location: | Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA |
| Date: | Wednesday, 12-4-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | FanDuel Sports Network - Florida, NBCS-Philadelphia |
Magic vs 76ers latest injuries
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