The Denver Nuggets (22-8) and Orlando Magic (17-14) meet Saturday. Tip-off from Kia Center in Orlando, Florida, is set for 7 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Nuggets vs. Magic odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Nuggets lead 1-0 after 126-115 home win Dec. 18
The Nuggets beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 142-138 in OT Thursday, covering as a 1-point home underdog with the Over (232) cashing. C Nikola Jokic went off for 56 points on 15-for-21 shooting. Denver has gone 8-2 straight up and 6-4 against the spread (ATS) over its last 10 games. It is 18-12 ATS on the season.
The Magic lost to the Charlotte Hornets 120-105 at home Friday, failing to cover as a 3-point favorite with the Under (236.5) hitting. G Anthony Black scored a team-high 24 points and made four 3-pointers. Orlando has alternated wins and losses over its last 5 games and has had a mediocre December, going just 5-6 straight up and 1-9-1 ATS. It is 12-18-1 ATS on the season.
Nuggets at Magic odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:19 a.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Nuggets -185 (bet $185 to win $100) | Magic +150 (bet $100 to win $150)Against the spread: Nuggets -4.5 (-105) | Magic +4.5 (-115)Over/Under (O/U): 234.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)Nuggets at Magic key injuries
Nuggets
G Christian Braun (ankle) outF Aaron Gordon (hamstring) outF Cam Johnson (knee) out
Magic
(Not yet submitted — below was for Friday’s game)
C Goga Bitadze (knee) outG Jalen Suggs (hip) outG Franz Wagner (ankle) outC Moritz Wagner (knee) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Nuggets at Magic picks and predictionsPrediction
Nuggets 124, Magic 117
PASS.
There’s no great moneyline option. The Nuggets (-185) are a hefty road favorite, and while they should cover, they are too expensive to consider to win outright.
BET NUGGETS -4.5 (-105).
The Nuggets have gone 3-1 ATS in their last 4 games as a favorite, and their offense has been on a torrid pace, scoring at least 130 points per game.
Orlando’s offense should struggle to keep up, having tallied 110 points or fewer in 3 straight games. It has failed to cover in 4 straight games as an underdog, and with both Wagners out, those overall issues should continue.
Take NUGGETS -4.5 (-105).
BET OVER 234.5 (-110).
The Nuggets have been scorching on the offensive end, and with Jokic leading the way, that should continue. They are 5-2 O/U in their last 7 games, scoring at least 126 points in all but 1 of those performances.
Orlando is 3-3 O/U over its last 6 contests, and it has allowed at least 120 points in 5 of those games. Considering those trends, expect a high-scoring battle and take OVER 234.5 (-110).
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