Magic vs. Rockets Prediction, Odds and Best NBA Prop Bets for Sunday, Nov. 16

Betting odds, pick and prediction for the Orlando Magic-Houston Rockets matchup on Sunday.

Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard is a solid prop target on Sunday. / Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

The Orlando Magic have won three games in a row, but they won’t have star forward Paolo Banchero (groin) on Sunday night against the Houston Rockets.

Houston is off to a great start in the 2025-26 season, going 4-1 at home and 8-3 overall to hold the No. 3 spot in the Western Conference standings. Houston has gotten some strong play from Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson and even Reed Sheppard to start the season, but it is down a key young player in Tari Eason (oblique).

Still, oddsmakers have the Rockets set as 7.5-point favorites at home in this matchup. 

Can Orlando hang around on the road?

Here’s a breakdown of the odds, my favorite prop bet and a prediction for this interconference battle. 

Magic vs. Rockets Odds, Spread and Total

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook.

Spread

• Magic +7.5 (-110)
• Rockets -7.5 (-110)

Moneyline

• Magic: +250
• Rockets: -310

Total

• 226.5 (Over -110/Under -110)

Magic vs. Rockets How to Watch

• Date: Sunday, Nov. 16
• Time: 7:00 p.m. EST
• Venue: Toyota Center
• How to Watch (TV): Space City Network, FanDuel Sports Network (Local)
• Magic record: 7-6
• Rockets record: 8-3

Magic vs. Rockets Injury Reports

Magic Injury Report

• Paolo Banchero – out
• Moritz Wagner – out
• Colin Castleton – out
• Franz Wagner – available

Rockets Injury Report

• Fred VanVleet – out
• Dorian Finney-Smith – out
• Kevon Harris – out
• Tari Eason – out
• Isaiah Crawford – out

Magic vs. Rockets Best NBA Prop Bets

Rockets Best NBA Prop Bet

• Reed Sheppard OVER 2.5 3-Pointers Made (+114)

Sheppard has played a bigger role for Orlando as of late, hitting three or more 3-pointers in four games in a row while playing at least 24:40 in every game.

The former No. 3 overall pick has a tough matchup with a Magic team that allows the second-fewest opponent 3s per game this season. Still, Sheppard’s volume from beyond the arc is intriguing, as he’s taken at least six 3-pointers in each of his last four games and six of his 11 games in the 2025-26 season.

He’s worth a look at +114 since he’s shooting an impressive 47.7 percent from deep. 

Magic vs. Rockets Prediction and Pick

I love Houston in this matchup, as the Magic are short-handed without Banchero and could be due to a down game after three wins in a row.

Orlando barely beat the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night at home, and now it has to go on the road against a Houston team that has an average scoring margin of +15.8 points at home this season. 

The Rockets rank first in the NBA in offense, ninth in defense and third in net rating while the Magic – even with their win streak – are just 15th in net rating.

Orlando’s defense may keep it in this game early, but I don’t think this offense has enough firepower with Desmond Bane struggling a bit to start the season and Banchero out. 

Pick: Rockets -7.5 (-110 at DraftKings)

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Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

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Find Peter Dewey's NBA betting record here (futures included). You can also follow my daily plays on  BetStamp here.

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