Talk about two teams that can not seem to find any level of consistency.
The Raptors and the Magic enter Monday’s action sitting fourth and fifth, respectively, in the Eastern Conference, but that says far more about the state of the conference than anything else. Both teams are also in the midst of head-scratching runs. In the past two weeks, Toronto has dropped games to the likes of the Nets and the Wizards, while also coming up with impressive victories over the Warriors and the Heat. Meanwhile, Orlando is on the heels of a one-point win over the mighty Nuggets, yet they’ve also lost to the Hornets and barely beaten the Jazz since December 20.
Which team will show up tonight and right the ship? Let’s preview this game with the help of some of some odds and lines on the DraftKings Sportsbook.
Magic vs. Raptors prediction, preview
I mentioned that the Raptors beat the Warriors on Sunday. That victory would not have been possible without Scottie Barnes, who became the youngest player to record a 20-point, 25-rebound, 10-assist triple-double since 1957. Barnes was everywhere for Toronto in the fourth quarter and overtime, even grabbing three offensive rebounds on the same possession. Barnes is a max contract player, so it’s probably a little rudimentary to say that the Raptors need him to step up and perform every single night; but in a game where the team was without Jakob Poeltl (back) and Collin Murray-Boyles (illness), Toronto truly required the former Rookie of the Year to dominate the boards like he did.
The question is now can he do it again on the second night of a back-to-back set. The Raptors will once again be without Poeltl, while RJ Barrett (conditioning) will sit after returning from a 15-game absence and logging 23.7 minutes. Murray-Boyles has been upgraded to questionable after being initially listed as doubtful for the team’s past two contests, which is promising. Still, Barnes and Sandro Mamukelashvili will have to cover several minutes at the five in a matchup with a Magic squad that is not lacking interior size.
However, it’s not like Orlando isn’t dealing with it’s own share of injuries. Franz Wagner (ankle) will miss his ninth straight game on Monday night, while Jalen Suggs (hip) is doubtful to suit up. Then there’s Paolo Banchero. The former first-overall pick is healthy at the moment, yet has only started 22 times in 2025-26 thanks to his own bumps and bruises. Still, while Banchero is technically on the floor, he doesn’t quite look like himself. To wit, Banchero’s been held to 13 points or fewer in three consecutive games. For the season as a whole, the All-Star is averaging only 19.8 points per contest and he’s shooting a putrid 22.5% from three-point range. With Wagner sidelined, the Magic need waaaaaay more from Banchero.
So, how did Orlando manage to take down Denver with only 12 points from its best player? I guess it’s time to talk about Anthony Black. The guard is yet another former top 10 pick in the Magic’s rotation, having been taken sixth-overall back in 2023. Black hasn’t always been an overly reliable asset for Orlando, yet in his third professional campaign, with Cole Anthony no longer in town, the 21-year-old appears to be flourishing. Black is averaging career-bests in both minutes per game (29.6) and points per game (15.1), and he exploded for a career-high 38 points in Saturday’s one-point win over the Nuggets. Black entered the Magic’s starting five on a permanent basis after Wagner’s injury, and in the eight contests since, he’s posting 20.9 points and 4.6 assists per night.
Magic vs. Raptors pick, best bet
Best Bet: Scottie Barnes 10+ Rebounds (+117)
Barnes isn’t likely to match a franchise record for rebounds for a second straight night, but he’ll be needed on the glass with Poeltl injured. This season, Barnes is averaging 9.0 rebounds per 75 possessions with Poeltl off the floor, compared to 7.7 per 75 when the two share the court. Overall, Barnes has cashed this prop in 15 of his 33 starts.
