Free NBA Pick: Magic vs. Rockets NBA Odds
Looking for Orlando Magic vs. Houston Rockets free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Magic taking on the Rockets on Friday, December 3rd, 2021 at the Toyota 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 Magic Rockets matchup.
2021 NBA Handicapping
(5-18) Orlando Magic vs. Houston Rockets (5-16)
Date: Friday, December 3rd
Time: 8:00 PM EST
Venue: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas
NBA Moneyline Odds: Magic | Rockets (Bet Now!) Moneyline is off
NBA Betting Odds: Rockets -2.5
NBA Betting Total: OFF
Friday, December 3rd finds the Orlando Magic facing the Houston Rockets in their first meeting of the season.
Both teams last played on Wednesday with the Magic pulling off the surprise upset (108-103) of the Nuggets and the Rockets beating the Thunder (114-110) for the second time in three days.
Last season, the squads played twice with the Rockets winning both contests. The Rockets hold the all-time record having bested the Magic in 36 of their 65 matches.
Orlando Magic
The defeat of the Nuggets came with the Magic missing several members of their core. One player who returned and made an immediate impact was Cole Anthony who had missed six games prior due to a sprained ankle.
Anthony led the way with 24 points along with eight rebounds and seven assists. Wendell Carter Jr. contributed 18 points and eight rebounds.
The Wagner brothers also got in on the act with rookie Franz scoring 15 points and older sibling Mo scoring 12 points. Also registering double-figures were Gary Harris and Terrence Ross with 11 and 10 points respectively.
Orlando got some good news regarding Jalen Suggs who won’t require surgery to repair his fractured thumb but he’ll remain out indefinitely.
It was unfortunate timing for Suggs who was just starting to find his way and mesh with his teammates, partially aided by him taking on a bigger role while Anthony was out.
He joins Jonathan Isaac (knee) and Markelle Fultz (knee) who are working their way back from serious injuries. Michael Carter-Williams (ankle) is listed as questionable as is E’Twaun Moore (knee) for Friday.
Houston Rockets
Just as the Rockets are finding a groove they are having to deal with injuries. Christian Wood tweaked his ankle in the first quarter of the match in Oklahoma City but was upgraded to probable for Friday.
Likewise, DJ Augustin who was in quarantine was also upgraded to probable for Friday. However, the starting backcourt is a different story with Kevin Porter Jr. (thigh) doubtful and Jalen Green (leg) definitely out.
On the latter, it’s interesting that the four-game win streak for Houston has occurred with Green sidelined. As I noted in the recent preview it’s not that the rookie doesn’t have talent, rather, it’s a matter of having too many youngsters on the floor at one time.
When Green returns it will be interesting to see what head coach Stephen Silas elects to do. Perhaps he’ll still start Green but balance his minutes better.
Ultimately, it will come down to whether the Rockets covet a play-in tournament seed for their youthful roster to gain experience or if they’d rather tank to gain another coveted top draft prospect.
The victory in Oklahoma City featured a stellar game from Jae’Sean Tate who registered a double-double of 32 points and 10 rebounds with seven assists, two steals, and five blocks.
Five others registered double-figures including Armoni Brooks (18), Garrison Matthews (14), Kenyon Martin Jr. (12), Kevin Porter (10), and Josh Christopher (10).
NBA Betting Trends:
- The Rockets are 8-2 in the last 10 head to head
- The Rockets are 6-4 ATS in their last 10 meetings.
- Over Under is 6-3-1 in the teams last 10 head to head matchups
- The Magic are 6-3 ATS in their last 9 games.
- The total has gone under in 5 of Orlando’s last 6 games.
Free Orlando Magic vs. Houston Rockets NBA Prediction:
Although the Rockets are on a roll they are mired by injuries with Wood, Porter, and Green all potentially out. This is sort of a battle of “the tankers” with the unknown of whether either team truly wants to win.
Presumably, the Rockets want to see how far they can run the win streak so I’m leaning to Houston.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Rockets -2.5
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