The Orlando Magic (30-35) and Houston Rockets (39-25) will meet in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. ET at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. The game will broadcast live on NBA League Pass.
The Rockets are 5-point favorites over the Magic on the spread (Rockets -5), with the over/under set at 212.5 total points. Houston is a -198 favorite to win outright, while Orlando is +164 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Magic vs. Rockets predictions and NBA picks for Monday, March 10.
Magic vs. Rockets Picks, Prediction
Spread
I'm passing on the spread due to key injuries for both teams. Houston is favored by 5 points in their first meeting of the season tonight.
Over/Under
I'll go Under 213.5 points here, with two offensively challenged teams, and Houston's late-game offense becoming even more questionable without Thompson.
Houston has stayed Under the number in five of its last seven, while Orlando has hit the Under in 23 of 35 games with totals at 213.5 and under.
My Pick: Under 213
Magic vs. Rockets Odds
| Magic Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+5 -110 | 212.5 -110o / -110u | +164 |
| Rockets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-5 -110 | 212.5 -110o / -110u | -198 |
- Magic vs. Rockets spread: Rockets -5
- Magic vs. Rockets over/under: 212.5 total points
- Magic vs. Rockets moneyline: Magic +164, Rockets -198
- Magic vs. Rockets best bet:Under 213 (-115)
Magic vs. Rockets Preview
Both teams are dealing with significant injuries. The Rockets have Fred VanVleet listed as questionable, and he has only made one appearance post All-Star Weekend, as he's nursing an injured ankle.
The Rockets will also be without Amen Thompson for the next 10-14 days due to a left ankle sprain.
The Magic will continue without Jalen Suggs and Mo Wagner, both of whom have season-ending injuries.
The Rockets are -5, and this will be their first meeting of the season.
The road Magic are bringing about +164 on the moneyline in what has been a difficult spot for them all season. Orlando is just 6-11 against the spread as a road underdog and an even worse 5-12 straight up in this spot.
The Rockets are the eighth best against the spread team in general this year, though as a home favorite they're 18-8 straight up and 13-13 ATS.
Magic vs. Rockets Prediction
I like the Under here. It's so tempting with two offensively challenged teams, but now, Houston's late game offense is going to be even more of a question mark without Thompson as at least an option — and it's not even smooth when everyone is healthy.
Houston has gone Under the number in five of its last seven. Orlando, which has recorded the second-most Unders this season, has gone Over in three straight, but Under in seven of its last 11.
Houston just dropped 146 on New Orleans — an anomaly. Otherwise, they’ve only scored over 120 points twice since January 27.
Orlando just had a 216.5 total they scraped Over against the Bucks, but of games they've participated in with totals at 213.5 and under, they've hit the Under in 23 of 35.
Best Bet: Under 213.5 (-115)
Rockets vs. Magic Betting Trends
