Magic vs. Thunder odds, line, spread, time: 2024 NBA picks, Feb. 13 predictions, best bets from proven model
The Orlando Magic welcome the Oklahoma City Thunder to Kia Center on Tuesday evening. The Magic aim to avenge a loss to the Thunder earlier this season, and Orlando is 29-24 overall and 17-7 at home. Oklahoma City is 15-11 on the road and a blistering 36-17 overall this season. The Thunder will be without Gordon Hayward (calf) for this matchup.
For this game, SportsLine consensus lists the Thunder as 3-point favorites, and tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. The total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, or the over/under, is 223.5 in the latest Thunder vs. Magic odds. Before making any Magic vs. Thunder picks, you'll want to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from the advanced computer model at SportsLine.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model enters Week 17 of the 2023-24 NBA season on a sizzling 55-35 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning more than $1,800. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
The model has set its sights on Magic vs. Thunder. You can head to SportsLine to see the picks. Here are several NBA betting lines and trends for Thunder vs. Magic:
- Thunder vs. Magic spread: Thunder -3
- Thunder vs. Magic over/under: 223.5 points
- Thunder vs. Magic money line: Thunder -148, Magic +125
- Oklahoma City: The Thunder are 14-11-1 against the spread in road games
- Orlando: The Magic are 16-7 against the spread in home games
- Thunder vs. Magic picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Thunder can cover
Oklahoma City is elite on the offensive end, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and tremendous creation of space with shooting and skill. The Thunder also have a strong defense, and this is an advantageous matchup on the defensive end. Oklahoma City is in the top five of the NBA in defensive efficiency, allowing only 1.12 points per possession. That includes the Thunder allowing only 1.01 points per possession in the first matchup against the Magic this season. Oklahoma City leads the NBA in turnovers created (15.6 per game) and blocked shots (6.6 per game), and the Thunder are also in the top five in steals (8.1 per game).
The Thunder also allow only 45.3% shooting from the field and 51.6% from 2-point range to opponents this season, and Orlando has clear issues with 3-point shooting. The Magic are dead-last in the NBA in 3-pointers (10.9 per game) and in the bottom five of the league in 3-point accuracy (34.8%). Orlando also ranks in the bottom five of the league in assists (24.8 per game), and Oklahoma City is firmly in the top five of the NBA in fast break points allowed (12.0 per game) and points allowed in the paint (46.4 per game). See who to back at SportsLine.
Why the Magic can cover
Orlando has two-way strengths, including an elite defense. The Magic are in the top five of the NBA in defensive efficiency, allowing only 1.117 points per possession, and Orlando is in the top three of the league in turnovers created (15.2 per game) and steals (8.2 per game). No NBA team allows fewer assists (24.0 per game) than Orlando, and the Magic are in the top five of the league in defensive rebound rate (72.9%) and second-chance points allowed (12.6 per game).
On the other side, Orlando should benefit from Oklahoma City's defensive rebounding weaknesses, as the Thunder rank near the bottom of the league in defensive rebound rate (68%) and second-chance points allowed (15.7 per game). Orlando is also in the top 10 in free throw creation, offensive rebound rate, second-chance points and points in the paint on the offensive end. The Magic have tremendous talent, including former No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero. He is averaging 22.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.2 assists this season, including 23.9 points and 6.8 assists for Banchero over the last nine outings. See who to back at SportsLine.
How to make Magic vs. Thunder picks
The model has simulated Thunder vs. Magic 10,000 times and is leaning Over on the total, projecting 225 combined points. It also says one side of the spread hits nearly 60% of the time. You can only see the picks at SportsLine.
