The Sacramento Kings have fallen short in the last week or so with four losses in their last six games, but with Zach LaVine arriving in town for Wednesday’s game against the Orlando Magic things could turn around quickly.
Orlando has won just once in its last 10 games, and now with an injury to one of its top players, we’ll take a look into where this team’s falling short in our Magic vs. Kings predictions.
Let’s dig into some NBA player props and hand out some NBA picks on Wednesday, February 5.
Magic vs Kings prediction
My best bet
Kings -5.5 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
We’re sure to be in for a barn burner here in Sacramento as two of the six worst teams in terms of Net Rating over the past two weeks try to scratch out an ugly win.
For the Sacramento Kings, life could be a bit better if they just played any defense at all. This isn’t an uncommon story for this franchise, and at least their offense has looked solid, but they’re really erasing anything positive happening on the other side of the floor with their inability to stop opponents.
In the last two weeks, the Kings rank 25th against the 3 and 17th against both mid-range jumpers and inside shots. The latter is the toughest pill to swallow, considering they’ve also allowed the sixth-most shots to come at the rim on average during this time – though they’re near the top 10 in 3-pointers allowed as well.
The good news here is that the Orlando Magic, despite getting Paolo Banchero back healthy, are dead last in offensive efficiency over this same span and ranks in the bottom two of the league in rim and 3-point scoring. It’s only really excelled in the mid-range, where it’s taken most of its shots, and this has technically been the strength of Sacramento’s defense all season.
The question becomes whether or not Orlando’s defense, which remains somewhat steady, can slow the Kings enough to make up for what we’ve hit on above. I’m not so sure, however, given the Magic have struggled to defend the mid-range and the Kings continue to force the issue in that zone with incredible volume.
With neither team inspiring on the glass to steal away one final edge, I think it’s safe to say the Magic are in trouble here after a very poor run of form. I don’t think this team is very good, and it’s done nothing lately to prove me wrong.
Magic vs Kings same-game parlay
Kings -5.5
Cole Anthony Over 3.5 assists
Malik Monk 20+ points
We’ll back the big news surrounding both teams here, beginning with Jalen Suggs’ absence for Orlando. While that should hurt this Magic team even more on both sides of the ball, it should allow for young guard Cole Anthony to continue getting minutes at the point.
Anthony has averaged over four assists in his last five games without Suggs, clearing this number in three of those contests. His assist rate has received a decent bump with his teammate off the floor, and with Sacramento struggling defensively and allowing the fifth-most assists to opponents per 100 possessions he should pad those numbers further.
Then, we’ll back Malik Monk to score the ball here in wake of Sacramento shipping De’Aaron Fox off to San Antonio. Yes, Zach LaVine will make his debut here for the Kings, but he won’t be as equipped to score as Monk – a player who’s taken a ton of shots in the short mid-range this season where the Magic have been at their worst these past couple weeks.
Monk has been one of the Kings’ lead men offensively in the last nine games, even with Fox on the floor, and he should be able to take his average of 21.9 points even higher here on a defense that’s lost its way a bit. He’s hit this mark in three of his last five.
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Magic vs Kings odds
Magic vs Kings live odds
Magic vs Kings opening odds
- Spread: Orlando +5.5 (-110) | Sacramento -5.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Orlando +180 | Sacramento -220
- Over/Under: Over 217.5 (-110) | Under 217.5 (-110)
Odds courtesy of bet365
Magic vs Kings spread and Over/Under analysis
- Sacramento remains a 5.5-point favorite, where it opened, after a brief move to five points early on Wednesday.
- The Kings make up 61% of the spread tickets but just 55% of the handle.
- The total has been a wild one to follow, trickling down as low as 216.5 late Tuesday before a steady climb all the way to 220.5. It’s since come crashing back down to sit just a point lower than where it opened.
- While just 28% of the bets are on the Under, it’s accounted for 92% of the handle.
Magic vs Kings trend
The Sacramento Kings have hit the 1H Game Total Over in 25 of their last 39 games (+9.95 Units / 22% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Magic vs. Kings.
How to watch Magic vs Kings
| Location | Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, California |
| Date | Wednesday, 2-5-2025 |
| Tip-off | 10:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | FanDuel Sports Network-Florida, NBCSCA |
Magic vs Kings latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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