Raptors vs Magic Picks and Predictions: Toronto Looks to O.G. For Offense

The Toronto Raptors have fought off extinction and are getting healthy, but they need to start playing more cohesively when playing the upper echelon of NBA teams. Luckily, they can work on that cohesion against the Orlando Magic. 

Toronto won a December 3 meeting 121-108, covering the 11.5-point chalk in a game played at Scotiabank. Tonight’s matchup takes place in Orlando with the visitors laying 8.5 points.

Paolo Banchero is the real deal, but can he do enough to keep his team within the spread this time around? I break down the numbers and bring you my best bet in my NBA betting picks and predictions for the Raptors vs. Magic on Dec. 9.

Raptors vs Magic best odds

Raptors vs Magic picks and predictions

It feels like every key Raptor (outside of O.G. Anunoby) has missed significant time through the first quarter of the season. And boy, have the Raptors needed him to keep things afloat while guys like Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, and Scottie Barnes have all missed games.

While Anunoby still has plenty to work on, it looks like we are finally getting the breakout that’s been predicted for the Toronto wing over the last few seasons. He's quietly becoming one of the best two-way players in the NBA.

Anunoby has been a force on the defensive end — able to guard almost every position — and his 57 steals leads the NBA. He's also becoming a reliable contributor on the offensive end.

Anunoby is averaging 19.2 points per game on 47.9% shooting from the field, and over the last 10 games, those numbers rise to 22.1 ppg on 50.3% shooting. That includes dropping 32 points on 12 of 17 from the floor in last week’s game against the Magic, setting him up to go Over his point total once again.

That's partly because Orlando is not a great defensive team. The Magic rank 27th in defensive rating and 23rd in opponent field goal percentage. On top of that, they rank next-to-last in turnover rate. It also doesn't help that they're running a short bench these days, with Wendell Carter Jr., Jalen Suggs, Chuma Okeke, and Gary Harris all out for this matchup.

I think a fun same-game parlay to put together has O.G. and Paolo Banchero to go Over 19.5 points, with Anunoby getting two or more steals, returning a nice +425 payday. But the best bet has got to be O.G. going Over his point total, a number he has eclipsed seven times in his last 10 games.

My best bet: O.G. Anunoby Over 19.5 points (-110 at PointsBet)

Raptors vs Magic spread analysis

The Raptors opened this Eastern Conference matchup as 7.5-point road chalk and were quickly bet up to 8.5 — but a little Magic buyback has the number at 8 as of early Friday afternoon. The number makes sense after these two teams tipped off with Toronto as 11.5-point home faves in last week’s matchup.

The Raptors came flying out of the gate in that game, jumping out to a 36-22 lead after the first quarter. A late push by Orlando made the game closer than the 121-108 final score indicated. 

The Raps were able to put up a good number despite not shooting the ball particularly well from 3-point range (9-for-31) thanks to a suspect Magic defense that was mentioned earlier. 

But the real problem for Orlando recently is that with all of the injuries it is currently dealing with, Banchero is having to do everything himself and the offense is hurting as a result. The Magic rank last in scoring, offensive rating, and 28th in effective field goal percentage over their last nine games.

That means tough sledding against a tenacious Toronto defense that ranks seventh in defensive rating and is first in steals. 

The Raptors have also taken advantage of being big favorites this season, going 3-0 straight up and 2-1 against the spread when favored by 8.0 points or more, with an average margin of victory of 11

No official play for me here, but I would lean toward laying the points with Toronto.

Raptors vs Magic Over/Under analysis

Meanwhile, the total hit the board at 220 and the early money has come in on the Over, bumping the number up slightly to 222.

Generally, I prefer to think of the Raptors as an Under team thanks to the combination of their strong play on the defensive end, and a halfcourt offense that is, um, lacking. To put it nicely. That said, Toronto has done its job on offense in these situations.

The Raptors put up 126 points last time out against the Lakers, and 121 in last week’s game against the Magic. Both games in which Toronto was a sizeable favorite. Both went Over. So, that’s why I’m staying away from the total in this matchup on Friday night.

Raptors vs Magic betting trend to know

The Raptors are 11-2 ATS in their last 13 matchups vs. the Magic. Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Magic.

Raptors vs Magic game info

Raptors vs Magic key injuries

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