The Orlando Magic (33-28) and Minnesota Timberwolves (40-23) will face off in the NBA on Saturday afternoon. Tipoff is set for 3:00 p.m. ET from the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The game will broadcast live on Amazon Prime Video.
The Timberwolves are 6.5-point favorites over the Magic on the spread (Timberwolves -6.5), with the over/under set at 226.5 total points. Minnesota is a -245 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Orlando is +200 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Magic vs. Timberwolves predictions and NBA picks for Saturday, March 7.
Magic vs Timberwolves Prediction, Picks
- Magic vs Timberwolves picks: Timberwolves -6.5 (-110), Under 226.5 (-110)
My Timberwolves vs. Magic best bets are on Minnesota to cover the spread and Under 226.5 total points. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Magic vs Timberwolves Odds
| Magic Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6.5 -112 | 226.5 -112o / -108u | +200 |
| Timberwolves Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6.5 -108 | 226.5 -112o / -108u | -245 |
Magic vs Timberwolves NBA Preview
The Timberwolves have been awful this season as home favorites, going 20-9 SU but 12-17 ATS — and they are 9-16 when favored by more than 4.5 points.
However, the Magic are the second-worst team against opponents that sit below .500 ATS this season, only behind the Cavaliers.
The Magic are the poster-child for “if the market thinks you are better than you are, this team can’t cover anyway.”
Orlando is 11-17 against sub-.500 ATS teams this season — and 5-9 on the road.
Of course, the Wolves are, a sub-.500 ATS team this season.
Basketball-wise, this is a clash of similar styles with tough defense and more limited offense — but Minnesota is a top-10 offense.
The biggest problem is that the Wolves are the much better three-point shooting team in this matchup.
Orlando is 10-13 ATS against teams that are above league-average in 3-point rate and percentage this season.
Magic vs Timberwolves Predictions, Betting Analysis
Timberwolves -6.5
The Magic will commit a bunch of resources to Anthony Edwards defensively, but the Wolves are used to that, and Ant is a willing passer.
Edwards will find corner shooters, and Orlando is suspect on the bench defensively.
It’s not a bad matchup for Paolo Banchero, but Minnesota will completely take away the rim, leaving Orlando with nothing but mid-range shots for the 27th-ranked mid-range team in the league.
Minnesota has not been good in this spot, but I do make the spread for this matchup Wolves -8.2, giving us an edge on Minnesota.
I would also recommend putting them into moneyline parlays.
Under 226.5
The Under has to be the play here regarding the total.
I make this total right around the number (OU 226.5), but the Under is 20-9 when the Wolves are favored at home this season.
The Magic’s offense is pretty paltry, and while the Wolves’ offense is much better, it’s turnover-prone.
This will be a flat out gross game with Orlando likely hurling up a very low field goal percentage.
I’ll grab the Under here.
Magic vs Timberwolves Best Bet
- Timberwolves -6.5 (-110)
- Under 226.5 (-110)
Spread
My first Magic vs. Timberwolves betting prediction is on Minnesota to cover the spread (-6.5).
Moneyline
No play on the moneyline this afternoon.
Over/Under
I will also be taking Under 226.5 total points in today's matchup.
