The Minnesota Timberwolves (47-32) and Orlando Magic (43-36) will square off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET from the Kia Center in Orlando, Fla. The game will broadcast live on FDSN.
The Magic are 6.5-point favorites over the Timberwolves on the spread (Magic -6.5), with the over/under set at 229.5 total points. Orlando is a-225 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Minnesota is +185 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Timberwolves vs. Magic predictions and NBA picks for Wednesday, April 8.
Timberwolves vs Magic Prediction, Pick
- Timberwolves vs Magic picks: Timberwolves +6.5 (-115), Over 229.5 (-110)
My Magic vs. Timberwolves best bets are on Minnesota to cover the spread and the game to go over 229.5 total points. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Timberwolves vs Magic Odds
| Timberwolves Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6.5 -115 | 229.5 -108o / -112u | +185 |
| Magic Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6.5 -105 | 229.5 -108o / -112u | -225 |
Timberwolves vs Magic NBA Preview
The Timberwolves are trying to lock up a playoff spot; if they win, they are in. Meanwhile, the Magic are just trying to hang on for dear life in the play-in race.
It doesn’t feel like it, but the Wolves are actually really good short-handed.
The Timberwolves are 14-9 SU and ATS without Jaden McDaniels or Anthony Edwards this season. That’s promising with Minnesota playing on a back-to-back here after cruising to a win over the Pacers yesterday.
The Magic's offense remains tepid, and Minnesota’s offense has enough weapons to piece together some points to find a way to hang within the number, if not win outright.
I project the spread for this game at Magic -4.4, which is a much more reasonable number for an Orlando team that is still carrying market value for some reason despite their foibles.
Timberwolves vs Magic Predictions, Betting Analysis
Timberwolves +6.5
The market line on this, built off power ratings at Inpredictable.com, derived from the spreads of the teams with a healthy 2.5-point homecourt adjustment, puts this matchup at a pick‘em.
At that price, I’d be on the Magic — but instead, Orlando is laying 6.5 points to a Western Conference team in the midst of a desperate seeding race with a chance to lock up a playoff spot? No thanks.
Minnesota is also 8-5 SU and 7-6 ATS on the second night of a back-to-back this season.
The Wolves aren’t world-beaters without Ant and McDaniels (assuming they don’t play) but Orlando simply continues to be a team worth fading.
It’s been over a month since the Magic covered the spread in back-to-back games.
Over 229.5
A sneaky thing here is that Minnesota and Orlando's defenses have both slid a little bit this season.
Both teams are above league-average in pace, and both teams have had problems with system offense.
The bigger issue is transition. I’m projecting 50 points in transition alone in this game, giving the halfcourt offenses a lower bar to clear. I’ll take the over.
Timberwolves vs Magic Best Bets
- Timberwolves +6.5 (-115)
- Over 229.5 (-110)
