The Orlando Magic will play host to the Los Angeles Clippers in a cross-conference game featuring two teams with playoff aspirations. Orlando`s season record is 36-39, with a 20-18 home record, while Los Angeles holds a 42-32 overall record and 17-21 away record. The Clippers have won their last three encounters against the Magic, including a 104-93 win on November 20th. Against the spread this season, the Clippers are 41-32-1, and the Magic are 37-38. Ben Simmons is sidelined for the Clippers due to a knee injury, and Bogdan Bogdanovic is questionable (knee). For the Magic, Cole Anthony is questionable with a toe injury.
The game is scheduled to tip-off at 7 PM Eastern Time at the Kia Center in Orlando, Florida. Los Angeles is currently favored by 2.5 points according to SportsLine consensus odds, and the over/under for total points is set at 210.5. For expert predictions on this game, consider consulting the SportsLine model.
The SportsLine Projection Model, known for simulating NBA games 10,000 times, boasts a strong track record, having generated over $10,000 in profit for $100 bettors following its top NBA selections over the past six seasons. Entering Week 24 of the current NBA season, the model is on an impressive 155-115 run with its highest-rated NBA picks since last season, yielding nearly $4,000 in returns. Furthermore, it has an excellent 68% success rate on top spread picks this season.
The model has focused its analysis on the Clippers-Magic game. For their betting recommendations, visit SportsLine. Current betting odds for the game include:
- Magic vs. Clippers spread: Los Angeles -2.5
- Magic vs. Clippers over/under: 210.5 points
- Magic vs. Clippers money line: Los Angeles -143 Orlando +120
- Magic vs. Clippers picks: See picks at SportsLine
- Magic vs. Clippers streaming: FuboTV (try for free)
Magic`s Chances
The Magic are coming off a dominant 121-91 victory over the Sacramento Kings, marking their fourth win in the last five games. Paolo Banchero led the team with 24 points and has increased his scoring average to 29.7 points since the All-Star break, up from 22.5 points before. Franz Wagner contributed 21 points, and the Magic`s bench scored 53 points, just one point less than Sacramento`s entire starting lineup.
Orlando has also been strong against the spread, going 7-2 ATS in their last nine games. They possess a strong defense, allowing the fewest points per game in the NBA, the fewest three-pointers made against them, and lead the league in blocks per game. The Magic also rank second in defensive rating and are second in forcing turnovers.
Clippers` Path to Victory
The Clippers lost a close game to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday, 127-122, despite trailing by 18 points in the fourth quarter. Kawhi Leonard sat out this game, likely to be available for the second game of the back-to-back against Orlando. Without Leonard, Norman Powell scored 34 points for Los Angeles, and James Harden added 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists.
Kawhi Leonard has been performing at an MVP level recently, averaging 27 points over his last eight games with impressive shooting percentages of 59.3% from the field and 56.1% from three-point range. He is also contributing 7.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.3 steals per game during this stretch. The Clippers have also been strong against the spread, with an 8-1 record ATS in their last nine games, making them one of the hottest teams in the league in this regard, possibly even hotter than Orlando.
Predictions for Clippers vs. Magic
After simulating the Clippers vs. Magic game 10,000 times, the model predicts a total score of 213 points, leaning towards the Over. It also indicates that one side of the spread has a greater than 60% chance of being successful. For the model`s specific pick, visit SportsLine.
To find out which team is predicted to win and which side of the spread to bet on with over 60% confidence, visit SportsLine for the model`s detailed analysis and pick.
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Jasper Hawthorne