The injury-riddled Orlando Magic take to the road tonight for a non-conference NBA matchup with the red-hot Denver Nuggets.
Denver enters this one riding a five-game winning streak, and my Magic vs. Nuggets predictions expect Nikola Jokic & Co. to win comfortably tonight.
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Read on for my NBA picks for Thursday, December 18.
Magic vs Nuggets prediction
Magic vs Nuggets best bet: Nuggets -7 (-110)
The Denver Nuggets should cover the spread at home tonight against an Orlando Magic team that doesn’t have enough healthy bodies to keep pace for four quarters.
The Magic compete well, but tonight’s matchup with the Nuggets comes at a tough time for them as Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs are out, and those absences hurt Orlando at multiple levels.
That leaves Paolo Banchero to carry a tough offensive load against a middle-of-the-pack Denver stop unit and its 17th-best defensive NET rating.
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Nikola Jokic is averaging a triple-double, while Jamal Murray is averaging a career-high 25 points and seven dimes per game for top offense in the NBA.
Orlando has lost three of their last five games and 12-14 ATS this season. I’ll back a Denver group that’s 15-10 ATS and riding a five-game winning streak to cover the spread tonight.
Magic vs Nuggets same-game parlay
In addition to the best bet, I’ll add Cameron Johnson going Under his made threes prop for the fifth time in six games.
Desmond Bane either goes big offensively or he doesn’t. He has scored more than 24 points only four times in his previous 10 games, and I will bet Bane goes Under his points total tonight.
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Magic vs Nuggets 3-leg SGP
Cameron Johnson Under 2.5 threes
Desmond Bane Under 23.5 points
Our “from downtown” SGP: Underwhelming evening
Jokic has scored 30 points or more in three of his previous nine games. He’s up against the league’s eighth-best defense, and likely won’t score 30 points tonight.
Thanks to the NBA Cup, both teams have had extended breaks. Three of their last five meetings have ended Under the total, and with injuries and rust, I expect a low-scoring affair.
Magic vs Nuggets 5-leg SGP
Cameron Johnson Under 2.5 threes
Desmond Bane Under 23.5 points
Nikola Jokic Under 29.5 points
Magic vs Nuggets odds
Spread: Magic +7.5 (-105) Nuggets -7.5 (-115)
Moneyline: Magic +230 | Nuggets -295
Over/Under: Over 235.5 (-110) | Under 235.5 (-110)
Magic vs Nuggets betting trend to know
Orlando is 4-6 ATS in its last 10 games. Find more NBA betting trends for Magic vs. Nuggets.
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How to watch Magic vs Nuggets
Location
Ball Arena, Denver, CO
Date
Thursday, December 18, 2025
Tip-off
9:00 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN Florida, ALT
Magic vs Nuggets latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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