Simulation Picks
Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks
Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks
Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks
Understanding Public and Money
Expert Picks
We'll give a bit of a mulligan to Orlando, as this has been a difficult stretch, with losses to the T-wolves, Bucks (twice), Celtics, and Nuggets the past two weeks. Paolo Banchero has at least returned to active duty for the Magic, though enduring the worst game of the five since being reactivated on Sunday vs. the Nuggets when scoring only 10 on 4 for 17 FG shooting. Banchero, however, did score 20 or more in the previous four games. Orlando also recently won 106-97 at Toronto (January 3) without Banchero or either of the Wagners. The Raps do own recent wins over the Warriors and Celtics but regressed in Friday's heavy loss to Milwaukee, and have lost 17 of their last 20. Play Magic
The Magic have played 10 games against bottom 6 teams in the NBA this season. They have won 7 of them. They've covered 8 of them. They won at Toronto by 8 earlier this month before they had Paolo Banchero back. This is a solid operation going through some struggles against top teams. Raptors getting a bump here after beating Celtics recently but that was their Super Bowl. I like the Magic to get back on the good foot here. Raptors are 24th in NBA in home net rating. Orlando has won 4 straight in the series (all by 9 points or more) and 6 of 7.