Magic vs. Nuggets: 3 Best Bets

The Orlando Magic is looking to snap their three-game losing streak but have a tough opponent in the defending champion Denver Nuggets. Denver barely sneaked by the Golden State Warriors last night and needed a Hail Mary shot from Nikola Jokic to seal the deal.

To its credit, the Magic seems to have put some faith in its three-point shooting, which has been desperately lacking as their defense has started to return to normal after a hot start to the season. The Nuggets, while top 10 in 3-point percentage, tend to rely on Nikola Jokic scoring from anywhere to win games, and it has worked so far.

Earlier this season, the Magic beat the Nuggets in Orlando, but that was in the midst of a nine-game win streak. The tides have since turned, and Orlando will play a depleted lineup without Kevon Harris, Markelle Fultz, Joe Ingles, Jonathan Isaac, Gary Harris, and Franz Wagner. Denver is mostly healthy, only missing Vlatko Cancar.

Keep reading for our three best bets, powered by the lines at SI Sportsbook.

The Lines

Point spread: Nuggets -9.5 (-118)/Magic +9.5 (-110)

Moneyline: Nuggets (-450)/Magic (+320)

Over/under: 223.5

Our Picks

Sad pick: Nuggets -9.5 (-118)

After narrowly beating the Warriors, Denver will have to play again on a back-to-back. Unfortunately for Orlando, Denver is 6-2 this season in the second half of back-to-backs, with an average margin of victor of 3.2 points. The Magic really only has one good scorer left in Paolo Banchero, and without much offensive help, expect Denver to easily take home a victory.

Opponent pick: Michael Porter Jr. OVER 14.5 points (-137)

Porter Jr. is averaging an efficient 16.1 points per game this season. Earlier this year, he scored 25 points against the Magic, but he has slowed down a bit, only posting 14.6 points per game over his last ten appearances. However, against Orlando’s injury-plagued defense, Porter Jr. should get plenty of open looks and return to form tonight.

G League Star Queen Getting Opportunity with Orlando Magic

Team pick: UNDER 223.5 points (-110)

This is a remarkably low line for the modern NBA and the fact that the oddsmakers were willing to go that low should tell us something. Denver, while expected to win, is tired from a long game last night, and Orlando is exhausted from losses and travel. Neither team will look their freshest, and neither team will put forth their best offensive effort.