Free NBA Pick: Thunder vs. Magic NBA Odds
Looking for Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Orlando Magic free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Thunder taking on the Magic on Saturday, January 2, 2021, at the 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 Thunder Magic matchup.
2021 NBA Handicapping
(1-3) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Orlando Magic (4-1)
Date: Saturday, January 2, 2021
Time: 7:00 PM EST
Venue: Amway Center, Orlando, Florida
NBA Moneyline Odds: Thunder +265 | Magic -325
NBA Betting Odds: Thunder +7.5 | Magic -7.5
NBA Betting Total: 218.5
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On Saturday, January 2nd, the Oklahoma City Thunder begin a 5-game road trip with the first opponent on the itinerary the Orlando Magic.
Last season, the teams played twice with the Thunder winning both matches. The Thunder holds the all-time advantage winning 39 of their 63 meetings.
Oklahoma City Thunder
There are still remnants of the clutch time crew from last season. In particular, the first two games of the season were decided on the final play with OKC winning versus the Hornets and losing by a single point to the Jazz.
The last two matches are more in line with what is expected of the Thunder this season with a loss to this Magic squad and a blowout loss to the Pelicans.
It’s not that there isn’t talent on the Thunder or that they couldn’t shorten their bench to try to win these close contests. But that strategy would be in direct conflict with the larger goal of finishing near the bottom of the ladder (or bottom three rungs to be specific).
With the potential to convey 18 first-round draft picks over the next seven years it behooves the Thunder to lose. This coming draft class in particular is jam-packed with top-level prospects.
In the loss to the Pelicans, the Thunder failed to find any cohesion or fluidity. Only veterans Al Horford and Mike Muscala reached double figures with 17 and 10 respectively.
Darius Miller (Achilles) is questionable while both Ty Jerome (ankle) and Trevor Ariza (personal) are out.
Orlando Magic
After getting out to a perfect start via a 4-0 record the Magic got served a dose of reality between a thumping by the 76ers and untimely injuries.
Head coach Steve Clifford is also cautioning his charges who he feels aren’t putting in the same effort defensively that were part and parcel of the Magic defensive schemes the past few seasons.
In the loss to the 76ers, Evan Fournier experienced back spasms and Chuma Okeke a bone bruise which forced both to leave.
Nikola Vucevic continued to feast producing another double-double of 19 points and 10 assists. Rookie Cole Anthony (16) Dwayne Bacon (10), and Michael Carter-Williams (10) were the other double-digit contributors.
Terrence Ross (hamstring) missed the last game but is probable to suit up on Saturday while Fournier is questionable.
Okeke, James Ennis (calf), Mo Bamba (COVID-19 recovery), Al-Farouq Aminu (knee), and Jonathan Isaac are all out.
NBA Betting Trends:
- OKC are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 road games.
- ORL are 5-13 ATS in their last 18 home games.
- Road team is 7-3 ATS in the last 10 meetings.
Free Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Orlando Magic NBA Prediction:
Although the Magic already registered a win over the Thunder that victory came without Al Horford or George Hill in the lineup.
Still, the Magic will want to erase the embarrassing loss to the 76ers and they are keenly aware of the need to win now. Orlando experienced back-to-back seasons of first-round playoff ousts and knows how important it is to avoid the play-in tournament.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Thunder +7.5
Although I’m picking the Magic to win the game I don’t think it’ll be by the suggested spread. It also wouldn’t surprise if OKC is there at the end if they win outright. With Hill and Horford back in the mix and the Magic missing players it’s like to be a closely contested battle.
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