The Orlando Magic (3-4) will take on the Oklahoma City Thunder (6-0) tonight in the NBA. Tipoff from the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City is set for 9:15 p.m. ET.
The oddsmakers see the Thunder as a 12-point home favorite over the Magic (Thunder -12), while the total is set at over/under 216 points.
Read below for my Magic vs. Thunder predictions and my NBA picks for Monday, November 4.
Magic vs. Thunder Odds
| Magic Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+12 -110 | 216 -110o / -110u | +600 |
| Thunder Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-12 -110 | 216 -110o / -110u | -900 |
Orlando Magic
Orlando's offense has fallen apart since losing Paolo Banchero to an oblique injury and it will get no respite here as they face a league leading OKC defense allowing just 94.5 points per 100 possessions. For some context, that would rank them a full -14.4 points better than last year’s top defense, the Timberwolves.
This OKC defense has historical potential, as we haven’t even seen what they look like with their big free-agent signing, Isaiah Hartenstein, yet. This 26th ranked Orlando offense is lacking self-creation and playmaking as they really don’t have a “true” point guard in their current rotation.
Franz Wagner has flashed his playmaking potential, but he hasn’t had the ball in his hands a ton these last few games as the Magic are opting to play through Jalen Suggs and Anthony Black probably a little too much.
Wagner is coming off an illness and still hasn’t looked 100% like he did in his first three games. This will be a tough matchup for him as he will most likely be hounded by Luguentz Dort and Alex Caruso for the entire game.
Overall, for the season, the Magic have an offensive rating of just 99.5 with Banchero off the court. That would rank them dead-last in offensive rating in the entire NBA. They need to find some answers, but it’s extremely unlikely that they will be able to make those tweaks on the second night of a back-to-back going up against the top defense in the league.
Oklahoma City Thunder
On the flip side of the ball, the Magic should fare better as the Thunder's offense hasn’t been as elite this season, ranking 13th in offensive rating.
Orlando is second in adjusted defensive rating, according to dunksandthrees.com, and have faced a brutal schedule of opposing offenses and its defense has performed admirably despite their schedule.
This is nothing new for the Magic, as this was the third ranked defense last season as well. I expect them to hold their own going up against OKC that is only ninth in halfcourt offense this season.
As long as the Magic can set their defense consistently and avoid turnovers, they should be able to contain this OKC's offense.
Magic vs. Thunder
Betting Pick & Prediction
This is a clear under-spot for me, as Bachero's absence has created a funk in Orlando and it's trying to figure stuff out right now.
This is also the Magic's third game in four nights, so I expect there to be some fatigue and they will likely try to slow the game down and force OKC to play in the halfcourt.
As long as they can take care of the ball, this game should be played at a slower pace and there should be plenty of stops on both sides of the ball.
Trust the top-two defenses in the NBA to get stops and compete on Monday night.
