It’s going to take more than an NBA Cup clunker to derail this Oklahoma City Thunder express train, and they’re sweeping into Kia Center to face the Orlando Magic tonight at 7 p.m. ET on TNT.
OKC had a costly and uncharacteristically bad shooting night in Las Vegas on Tuesday, but my Thunder vs. Magic predictions signal a backlash here and a much sharper offensive outing.
Check out my NBA picks for this Thursday, December 19 battle as Orlando soldiers on without its two best players.
Thunder vs Magic prediction
My best bet
Thunder team total Over 109.5 (-115 at bet365)
My analysis
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a pretty major understatement after the Oklahoma City Thunder’s NBA Cup disappointment on Tuesday: "We didn’t shoot it well."
It was a perfect storm for the Thunder against the Milwaukee Bucks as they managed just 81 points and missed 27 of their 32 attempts from 3-point range, with SGA the only player to make more than one triple.
But that’s a big-time anomaly for a young, deep team averaging 115.6 ppg this year, and I expect the visitors to quickly brush off that rough shooting night.
Before that ice-cold effort earlier this week, the Thunder had gone past the 110-point mark in six straight games, and that makes the Over on their 109.5 team total an attractive pick here.
That line reflects the Orlando Magic’s relentless defense, but there have been signs of slippage lately. Orlando has allowed at least 110 points in two of its past three contests, and the roster is being stretched thin, with some of its best defensive players expending more energy offensively to fill the void left by Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.
I see the visitors cashing in tonight as they try to put their midweek setback behind them. OKC ranks in the Top 10 for points and 3-point attempts per game and boasts plenty of scoring threats behind SGA and Jalen Williams.
The NBA Cup trophy would have been a nice springboard for the Thunder, but they’re still the team to beat in the West at 20-5 and this week was another learning step on the road toward a championship. Unfortunately for the Magic, they may be in the firing line against a vengeful OKC squad.
Thunder vs Magic same-game parlay
Thunder TT Over 109.5
Jalen Williams Over 19.5 points
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Over 5.5 rebounds
Chet Holmgren’s absence takes away some of OKC’s flexibility, but it’s giving Williams more opportunities to expand his game. The result has been an All-Star-level stretch.
With Gilgeous-Alexander drawing a crowd, J-Dub is an ideal No.2 scorer, and I’m picking him for another productive night. He’s had at least 20 points in five of his last seven, including 28 points against the Utah Jazz.
And what’s an OKC SGP without some SGA? His points prop gives me pause, with Jalen Suggs shadowing him all night, but he continues to be a steady contributor on the boards, averaging 6.0 rebounds in December.
It’s no secret that the Magic have offensive limitations, headlined by their league-worst 31% mark from 3-point range, and I’m looking for Gilgeous-Alexander to seize on opportunities to grab rebounds and ignite the potent OKC fast break.
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Thunder vs Magic odds
Thunder vs Magic live odds
Thunder vs Magic opening odds
- Spread: Oklahoma City -4.5 (-110) | Orlando +4.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Oklahoma City -190 | Orlando +160
- Over/Under: Over 211.5 (-110) | Under 211.5 (-110)
Odds courtesy of bet365
Thunder vs Magic spread and Over/Under analysis
- Both teams have excelled against the spread — the Thunder are 16-8-2 ATS and the Magic are 16-12.
- Despite costly injuries, Orlando is 10-1 at Kia Center, which makes me hesitant to lay the points with OKC, even though the Thunder are 8-2 ATS in the past 10 meetings between these teams.
- The Under is 11-15 for the visitors — and they’ve served up three in a row — while the Magic have cashed in the 1H Under in 50 of their past 82 contests.
- OKC has scored at least 112 points in five of its last six matchups against Orlando.
Thunder vs Magic trend
The Thunder have hit the 1H moneyline in 32 of their last 46 games. Find more NBA betting trends for Thunder vs. Magic.
How to watch Thunder vs Magic
| Location: | Kia Center, Orlando, FL |
| Date: | Thursday, 12-19-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TNT |
Thunder vs Magic latest injuries
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