The Philadelphia 76ers are trudging on without Joel Embiid, and they’ll look for payback against the Orlando Magic tonight after falling short against Franz Wagner and Co. in midweek.
Paul George missed that 106-102 loss, and my Magic vs 76ers predictions see his return being decisive and sparking a rocking Friday night crowd in the City of Brotherly Love.
The clock is ticking for the 76ers to turn their season around, and my NBA picks for this November 6 clash also target a bounce-back effort from Tyrese Maxey.
Magic vs 76ers prediction
My best bet
76ers +3.5 (-105 at bet365)
My analysis
We’re getting towards desperation mode for the Philadelphia 76ers, but Nick Nurse can at least turn to a Tyrese Maxey and Paul George backcourt to break down an elite Orlando Magic defense tonight.
It’s not easy to beat any team twice on their home floor in the space of three days, so I see the Magic running into a much sterner test here, and I like getting points with a 76ers team that’s got the more explosive scoring threats.
While most of the 76ers trends this season can be thrown out given how rarely they’ve even had two of their three stars on the court, there have been some encouraging signs from the Maxey-George tandem over the past week — including combining for 50 points to sink Charlotte on Tuesday.
It’s also worth remembering that Orlando is rock bottom in the league in 3-point percentage this year, and I question whether the visitors’ stubborn defense can prop up that level of shooting again here. They barely survived a 28% effort from downtown on Wednesday night.
Of course, George doesn’t just raise the 76ers’ ceiling offensively, but he also gives Nurse a viable option for slowing star forward Franz Wagner. That battle could be the swing factor tonight.
If Philly is going to claw its way back into the playoff race, it starts with improved home form. The 76ers are just 2-8 at Wells Fargo Center so far, but I expect them to push the Magic to the limit.
Magic vs 76ers same-game parlay
76ers +3.5
Tyrese Maxey Over 23.5 points
Jalen Suggs Under 15.5 points
Maxey has poured in at least 26 points three times in his past six outings, including a 28-point effort against Detroit when he was flanked by George. While the Magic have terrific backcourt defensive options, I’m picking Philadelphia’s guards to shine in this rematch.
Jalen Suggs is a big part of Orlando’s defensive intensity but I’m fading his points prop tonight. Though he scored 17 points in the midweek matchup, he fell short of this 15.5 line in his three prior outings.
Foul trouble can be a factor too with Suggs’ tenacious style of play, and he missed all eight of his 3-pointers against the New York Knicks on Tuesday. He’s being asked to do a little more offensively with Paolo Banchero still out, but this O/U line is too steep for my liking.
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Magic vs 76ers odds
Magic vs 76ers live odds
Magic vs 76ers opening odds
- Spread: Orlando -2.5 | Philadelphia +2.5
- Moneyline: Orlando -155 | Philadelphia +130
- Over/Under: Over 210 | Under 210
Odds courtesy of bet365
Magic vs 76ers spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Magic enter as road favorites with a 14-10 ATS mark this season, but I’m buying into a kitchen-sink game from Philadelphia.
- Though they’ve lost seven of their last 10 contests, the 76ers are 7-3 ATS in their past 10 matchups against Orlando and they rallied resiliently after a slow start on Wednesday.
- Look out for easy points at the charity stripe — the Magic rank second in the NBA in free-throw attempts per game, with the 76ers also inside the Top 10 in that category.
- Orlando has hit the 1H Under in 56 of its last 92 outings, while Philadelphia has cashed that same bet in 35 of its last 55 games, yet the O/U of 207 still feels a little light.
Magic vs 76ers trend
The Under has been a winning ticket in six of the past nine head-to-head meetings. Find more NBA betting trends for Magic vs. 76ers.
How to watch Magic vs 76ers
| Location: | Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA |
| Date: | Friday, 12-6-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | NBC Sports Philadelphia, FanDuel Sports Network - Florida |
Magic vs 76ers latest injuries
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