The Magic are hosting the Wizards on Thursday. Orlando enters as a 14.5-point favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, with the game total set at 233.5 points.
Let’s dive into my preview and pick.
Wizards vs. Magic Preview
Washington is 16-48 and ranks dead last in net rating this season. The squad is mired in a nine-game losing streak, with all but two of these defeats coming by double digits. As a cherry on top, the Wizards surrendered 83 points to Miami’s Bam Adebayo on Tuesday.
Trae Young has played two of the team’s last three games and is available for Thursday’s matchup. While the Wizards own a strong 8.1 net rating with Young on the floor, the guard has played less than 20 minutes in each game as he ramps up from injury. Alex Sarr is also back after missing 10 games in a row with a hamstring issue, but he, too, has been playing on a minutes restriction.
At this point in the season, Washington likely wants to keep losing. Both Young and Sarr should continue operating in condensed roles. Tre Johnson, Bilal Coulibaly, Bub Carrington, and Will Riley should see most of the work, which has yet to prove a competitive formula.
Meanwhile, the Magic have seemingly rebounded from a disappointing first half of the season. Since the All-Star break, Orlando is 8-3 and ranks fifth in net rating — ahead of the Thunder, Celtics, and Pistons. The Magic have reclaimed their defensive identity, sitting third in defensive rating in that span. They rank eighth in offensive rating, as well.
Orlando has won five straight games, punctuated by Wednesday’s six-point win over the Cavaliers. The torrid stretch included a 27-point drubbing of the Timberwolves in Minnesota, and it began with a 17-point rout of the Wizards last Tuesday.
The Magic have been red-hot despite missing star guard Franz Wagner, who’s nursing an ankle injury. Orlando has figured out how to excel without its star player, largely thanks to Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane both playing up to their potential. Since the All-Star break, the duo is averaging 26.1 and 25.3 points per game, respectively. Jalen Suggs is also back to making a massive impact on defense, and Tristan da Silva has flourished in an elevated role — highlighted by a career-high 23 points against the Cavs on Wednesday.
Orlando is a terrific 7-2 on the second night of back-to-back sets this season, so there shouldn’t be much concern about the team coming out flat — particularly with the Wizards on the other side.
Wizards vs. Magic Pick, Best Bet
The Magic are playing some of their best basketball of the season right now and should have no trouble defeating the woeful Wizards, who Orlando beat by 17 points last week.
The Magic are 8-3 against the spread since the All-Star break and 7-3 ATS on the second night of back-to-back sets this season. Albeit a hefty line, Orlando should cover the 14.5-point spread on Thursday.
