The Toronto Raptors have done the unthinkable and won back-to-back Casey Bowls with a win over the Detroit Pistons on Super Sunday. Now they’ll try to carry that momentum into tonight’s matchup against another team that gives them unexpected trouble... the Orlando Magic.
The Magic took back-to-back games from the Raptors in early December and enter this game as winners of five of their last eight overall. Yet, Toronto is laying a touchdown on this Valentine’s Day matchup.
Is that too many points to lay with this Raps team? I break it all down and bring you my best bet in our free NBA picks and predictions for Magic vs. Raptors on February 14.
Magic vs Raptors best odds
Magic vs Raptors picks and predictions
The Toronto Raptors stunned everyone when they didn’t sell off their assets at the trade deadline and instead added center Jakob Poeltl.
So far, the results have been mixed.
The new-look Raptors have looked great at times in the first two games following the trade deadline. However, they haven’t played a complete 48 minutes yet and the fourth quarters have been particularly bad.
More on that later, but for now, the good.
With a true center in Poeltl, the offense has looked more complete. Nick Nurse has also used Scottie Barnes as the primary ball-handler with Fred VanVleet working off the ball and Pascal Siakam being the first scoring option. Using Poeltl in the pick and roll has also been working as well.
Most importantly, Barnes is starting to shoot the ball more and is going through his best stretch of the season when it comes to the 3-ball. The reigning Rookie of the Year is shooting 36.7% from 3-point range over his last six games with his attempts per game from deep bumping up from 2.9 to 5.
Tonight, he faces an Orlando Magic team that allows the second-most 3-point attempts per game in the NBA.
Nurse will continue to try and get his young star to keep taking open looks when he gets them. Barnes has hit two or more threes in four of the last six games, so there is value in backing him to go Over 1.5 once again at +130.
My best bet: Scottie Barnes Over 1.5 3-pointers made (+130 at PointsBet)
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Magic vs Raptors spread analysis
When it comes to the spread, the Raptors opened this Eastern Conference matchup as 6.5-point home favorites and have since moved up to -7. Unfortunately, it’s hard to have faith in laying that kind of chalk with the Raptors this season.
Toronto’s offense has looked better with the addition of Poeltl, but the defense is still finding its footing... particularly in the fourth quarter.
Last Friday, the Raps were cruising against the Jazz before getting outscored 39-20 in the fourth quarter in an eventual 122-116 loss. The same problems showed up on Sunday against the Pistons, allowing Detroit to put up 41 points in the final frame and nearly blowing another game.
Overall, the Raptors rank 17th in defensive rating, which should be considered a disappointment for this team.
Meanwhile, the Magic come into this game playing fairly well. They’ve won five of their last eight games overall and are 5-3 against the spread during that stretch. Paolo Banchero is still balling out and the team is getting after it on the defensive end.
Additionally, the Magic always show up when the least is expected of them. They are 12-1 ATS in their last 13 games when getting seven points or more.
With the Raptors also a sub-par 5-7 ATS when laying seven points or more, this feels like either a play on the Magic as dogs or simply staying away from this market.
Magic vs Raptors Over/Under analysis
The total hit the board at 222.5 and has been bet down slightly, sitting at 221.5 as of Tuesday afternoon.
The total for the three previous meetings between these teams this season has been between 220.5 and 223.5, with the Under hitting twice.
The Raptors' offense has been surprisingly competent since the calendar flipped over to 2023. They rank 11th in offensive rating and are putting up a respectable 116.2 points per game during that span.
But as noted, the defense has left something to be desired. The Raps rank 27th in opponent field goal percentage and 28th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage. Meanwhile, the Magic are scoring at will during this latest eight-game stretch and have put up an average of 110.7 ppg in their last three contests against Toronto.
If Orlando gets to that mark once again, this one should sneak Over the total.
Magic vs Raptors betting trend to know
Orlando is 12-1 ATS in its last 13 games as an underdog of seven points or more. Find more NBA betting trends for Magic vs. Raptors.
Magic vs Raptors game info
| Location: | Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON |
| Date: | Tuesday, February 14, 2023 |
| Tip-off: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Bally Sports Florida, Sportsnet |
Magic vs Raptors key injuries
