The Oklahoma City Thunder (53-15) and Orlando Magic (38-29) will square off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET from the Kia Center in Orlando, Florida. The game will broadcast live on FDSOK.
The Thunder are 9.5-point favorites over the Magic on the spread (Thunder 9.5), with the over/under set at 222.5 total points. Oklahoma City is a -455 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Orlando is +350 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Thunder vs. Magic predictions and NBA picks for Tuesday, March 17.
Thunder vs Magic Prediction, Pick
- Thunder vs Magic pick: Magic Team Total Under 106.5 Points (-115)
My Magic vs. Thunder best bet is on Orlando to score less than 106.5 points in tonight's game. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Thunder vs Magic Odds
| Thunder Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-9.5 -115 | 222.5 -115o / -105u | -455 |
| Magic Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+9.5 -105 | 222.5 -115o / -105u | +350 |
Thunder vs Magic NBA Preview
The Southeast division has quietly been one of the NBA's best in March.
The Hawks, Magic, and Heat have all been on winning streaks of seven games or more, and that doesn't include the Hornets' strong play.
The Magic held off a late rally to snap the Heat's seven game winning streak. However, their luck ran out last night as they fell to the Hawks, ending their own seven-game winning streak and extending Atlanta's to 10 games.
Tonight, the Magic return home to take on the Thunder on St. Patrick's Day.
With the loss last night, the Magic now have the same record as the Raptors, but currently hold the tiebreaker and the fifth seed. They would currently take on a familiar foe in the Cavaliers in the first round.
Over the past eight games, Orlando ranks sixth in offensive rating and seventh in defensive rating.
Paolo Banchero has led the Magic during their recent stretch, but he was held to 18 points on 3-of-13 from the field last night. He will need to bounce back because the Magic have struggled offensively against the Magic of late.
The Thunder will head to Florida riding an eight-game winning streak of their own. Surprisingly, they rank a lowly 22nd in offensive rating during that span, but their defense remains elite; Oklahoma City ranks second in defensive rating over their past eight games.
On Sunday, the Thunder defeated the Timberwolves 116-103, overcoming a six-point halftime deficit.
They were trailing in part because Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was held to four points in the first half, his lowest mark in three years. He did wind up getting to 20 points, narrowly extending his streak of 128 consecutive games with 20 points.
Thunder vs Magic Best Bet, Analysis
The Thunder have won eight of their past 10 meetings with Orlando. In doing so, they have held the Magic to 101.5 points per game.
Tonight, they get the Magic traveling back home on the second night of a back-to-back.
The Thunder have held five of their last seven opponents under 107 points. They have also held the Magic under 107 points in seven of their last 10 meetings, with Orlando scoring 100 or less in five of those games.
I expect their defense to shine again tonight on the road with Lu Dort, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Chet Holmgren all available.
Pick: Magic Team Total Under 106.5 Points (-110)
Thunder vs Magic Parlay Picks, Predictions
Paolo Banchero Under 30.5 Points & Rebounds
If the Thunder hold Orlando under 100 points again, Banchero probably has another rough night.
Banchero is averaging 20 points and six rebounds in the last three meetings.
He failed to reached 30.5 PR in any of those games.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 30+ Points
In addition to prepping for tonight's game, SGA was probably watching the Magic last night because they were taking on his cousin, and they gave up a career-high 41 points to him.
The Thunder may not need 41 points from him tonight, but SGA is usually a safe bet for 30 points.
He has scored 30 points in 38 of 56 games (68%) this season and in three of his last five games against the Magic.
Coming off a bad game by his standards, I like him to score at least 30 tonight.
Chet Holmgren 8+ Rebounds
Chet Holmgren has averaged nine rebounds in his last four games against Orlando.
He has grabbed eight rebounds in all four games as well — and in nine of his last 10 games overall.
Action PRO is projecting 9.9 rebounds for Holmgren in tonight's game.
Cason Wallace Over 1.5 Steals
Cason Wallace is the NBA's steals leader at 2.1 per game.
He had not had much success swiping against Orlando, but he had four steals in the two teams' last meeting last month.
Wallace has recorded 2+ steals in five of his last six games.
Thunder vs Magic Same Game Parlay
- Paolo Banchero Under 30.5 Points & Rebounds
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 30+ Points
- Chet Holmgren 8+ Rebounds
- Cason Wallace Over 1.5 Steals
Parlay Odds: +750 via DraftKings
