by Chuck Sommers
Friday, Dec 09, 2022
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Venue: Amway Center, Orlando, FL
Where to watch: BSN, NBALP, TSN
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Raptors -7.5; Raptors -285, Magic +240; O/U 220
FanDuel: Raptors -8; Raptors -320, Magic +260; O/U 220
BetMGM: Raptors -7.5; Raptors -300, Magic +240; O/U 219.5
Caesars: Raptors -8; Raptors -303, Magic +240; O/U 220
Season record
Raptors: 12-12
Magic: 6-20
Well, if you’ve never seen a balanced NBA season to this point, you’re in for some craziness along the way. A lot of new faces in new places already making an impact, and our champion handicappers are already starting to take notice. The last 30 days have seen our champion handicappers cashing in a great deal. Look at Brian Bitler going 80-55-0 in the last 30 days, a run of $18,800 net profit. How about ASA, Inc.? He’s on a 55-41-2 run the last 30 days. You know where to go for your best analysis. As the season progresses, you know we're going to be in a position to deliver you the best analysis and picks that one can have in this market. Make sure you check out our Best Bets page at bigal.com to find all of our handicappers' selections, comprehensive previews, and more!
Raptors - Magic preview, prediction and analysis
Raptors analysis
It hasn’t been the greatest run of form over the last five games for the Toronto Raptors. After back-to-back home wins against Dallas and Cleveland, the Raptors have dropped three of five with losses to New Orleans, Brooklyn and Boston. They were favored in two of those and failed to cover all three.
But now I present you with good news and bad news. The good news: The Raptors are coming off a 126-113 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday. The bad news? The Lakers didn’t have LeBron James or Anthony Davis and barely covered the 12.5 they were favored by. Normally I’d chalk that to just taking the foot off the gas and letting them hang around, but there’s no reason the Raptors – for as good as they are – should be barely covering against a Lakers team with no LeBron or no AD.
It took a 38-point fourth quarter to cut a 22-point lead to a 13-point final, so we’ll chalk to sitting the starters and letting the benchwarmers run the asylum. Fred VanVleet finished with 25 points in the win, and O.G. Anunoby had 23.
“We did what we were supposed to do tonight, very professional, locked in from the jump ball and really just didn’t give them any chance to get going,” VanVleet said.
Toronto, opening as 7.5-point favorites, are 6-4 ATS in the last 10. However, the Raptors are 1-6 ATS in their last seven road games. Fortunately it’s against Orlando, but you never know with this group right now.
Magic analysis
The Orlando Magic, by the grace of everything, ended their nine-game losing streak end by way of beating the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday. Yes, it was a complete shocker, and the Clippers have shown over the last 48 hours that you can’t trust them on the books. But the Magic were getting 7 points against the Clippers and they won outright. Normally, that takes more skill than it should be.
Despite going 1-9 in their last 10, the Magic are 4-6 against the spread in their last 10, including covering the last two. This will be Orlando’s seventh straight game as an underdog in which the Magic are 3-3 in their last six.
Orlando rallied from down nine at halftime thanks to Paolo Banchero going off in overtime with 10 of his 23 points. Bol Bol and Moritz Wagner each scored 20 points, and Franz Wagner added 15 despite shooting 6 of 19 from the floor.
“I think the ball just found me later in the game. I think I was aggressive the whole game, but I was just letting it come to me. I was going to take my opportunities when they came,” the 20-year-old Banchero said. “I don’t really go in the lane thinking I’m trying to get fouled. I’m just trying to go score.”
While things are looking good for the Magic, they’re 0-4 in their last 4 home games against a team with a losing record. They tend to play below their competition, which could be some problematic situations. Alas, Orlando has found ways to stay competitive against the spread.
Prediction
The Magic are 2-6 ATS in their last eight against winning teams. The second came the other night. While there should be some fun thoughts with Orlando right now, Toronto should handle business on the road, considering how they’ve covered their last five ATS in Orlando. Raptors by 10
Betting trends
Raptors are 200-155 ATS on the road after playing 6 or more games in 10 days since 1996.
Raptors are 33-21 ATS after an over the last 2 seasons.
Magic is 11-23 ATS at home after losing 4 or 5 of their last six the last two seasons.
Projected starting lineup
Raptors:
PG: Fred VanVleet
SG: O.G. Anunoby
SF: Scottie Barnes
PF: Pascal Siakam
C: Christian Koloko
Magic:
PG: Markelle Fultz
SG: Franz Wagner
SF: Paolo Banchero
PF: Bol Bol
C: Mo Bamba
Injury report
Raptors: Otto Porter (toe, out), Juancho Hernangomez (ankle, out), Precious Achiuwa (ankle, out)
Magic: Jalen Suggs (ankle, out), Gary Harris (hamstring, out), Chuma Okeke (knee, out), Wendell Carter Jr. (foot, out)
Statistical leaders
Raptors:
Points: Pascal Siakam – 24.5
Rebounds: Pascal Siakam – 8.9
Assists: Pascal Siakam – 7.1
Magic:
Points: Paolo Banchero – 21.8
Rebounds: Bol Bol – 7.5
Assists: Jalen Suggs – 5.4
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
