Free NBA Pick: Rockets vs. Magic NBA Odds
Looking for Houston Rockets vs. Orlando Magic free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Rockets taking on the Magic on Friday, February 25th, 2022 at Amway Center. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Rockets- Magic matchup.
2022 NBA Handicapping
(15-43) Houston Rockets vs. Orlando Magic (13-47)
Date: Friday, February 25th, 2022
Time: 7:00 PM EST
Venue: Amway Center
NBA Moneyline Odds: Rockets +154 | Magic -164 (Bet Now!)
NBA Betting Odds: Magic -4
NBA Betting Total: 228.5
Friday, February 25th the Houston Rockets playing the Orlando Magic for the second and final time this season. In the inital meeting on December 3rd, Houston won 118-116.
Houston last played the Thursday before the break losing 111-142 to the Clippers while the Magic played Wednesday losing 109-130 to the Hawks.
Last season, the squads played twice with the Rockets winning both contests. The Rockets hold the all-time record having bested the Magic in 37 of their 66 matches.
Houston Rockets
The loss to the Clippers marked the seventh in a row. Houston ranks dead last in the Western Conference and is on track to nab one of the coveted bottom three seeds that would garner them the best odds to win the NBA draft lottery.
In terms of strength of schedule, they have the 11th most difficult itinerary remaining facing opponents with a cumulative 50.5 win percentage.
Although they have a great advantage playing 15 matches at home the question is whether they want to play spoiler and try to build momentum with their young core heading into next season.
Or whether they’ll think it’s worth risking moving up too far and missing out on the bottom three seed.
Eric Gordon (groin), Kevin Porter Jr. (illness), and Usman Garuba (wrist) are all questionable to participate on Friday versus the Magic.
John Wall remains on the shelf as the Rockets failed to find a trade partner and are in a stalemate regarding a buy-out given his massive salary.
Orlando Magic
Similar to the Rockets the Magic currently possess one of the bottom three records and has the advantage given they have the fewest wins in the association and two more losses than their nearest fellow tankers (Pistons).
That does give head coach Jamahl Mosley a bit of leeway to let his charges try to build chemistry and grab some victories. Ironically more than half of their wins (8) have come against teams ranked 10th or higher.
Unlike the Rockets the Magic will begin next season with cornerstone Jonathan Isaac returning and another core piece in Markelle Fultz who’ve both missed the entirety of this season.
Mo Wagner (ribs) is questionable to play on Friday versus the Rockets. Isaac (knee), Fultz (knee), RJ Hampton (knee), and Bol Bol (foot) are all out indefinitely.
NBA Betting Trends:
- Orlando is 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games.
- Houston is 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 8 of Orlando’s last 11 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston’s last 6 games.
Houston Rockets vs. Orlando Magic NBA Analysis:
This match offers intrigue more from the perspective of whether either has a true desire to win. Orlando has four additional losses affording them some padding.
In other words, they could test themselves to see how they fare against their fellow tankers and not risk giving away their better placement for the lottery odds.
Ironically Orlando has played better on the road while Houston fares better at home. Both teams feature a bevy of young stars so a match like this offers a more even playing field and since that’s rarely the case it allows the youngsters an opportunity to light up the stat board.
Given Jalen Green and Cole Anthony were involved in that brutal slam dunk event watch for both to use that motivation to fuel a strong effort to erase that memory from their minds (and ours please).
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