The NBA’s top scoring defense will be a 9-point favorite at home in Pepsi Center, when the Denver Nuggets (17-8) battle with the Orlando Magic (12-15). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 203 points and it can be seen on Altitude Sports & Entertainmnt at 9 p.m. ET on Wednesday, December 18, 2019.
Orlando Magic at Denver Nuggets ATS Odds
Neither team was able to cover in their last outing. The Nuggets (10-point favorites) beat the New York Knicks, 111-105, while the Magic (1-point underdogs) were defeated by the Utah Jazz, 109-102. The Denver game finished 8.5 points over the projected point total of 207.5, while the Orlando game finished 5.5 points under the projected point total of 216.5.
Denver played a flawless game. They had a free throw rate of 0.138 (matching their season average) and a turnover percentage of 8.1 (better than their season average of 11.7). For those same stats, New York was 0.096 and 10.1, respectively. Orlando, on the other hand, had a turnover percentage of 2.9 (better than their season average of 11.6). Nikola Jokic had a good game for Denver, recording 25 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Orlando, meanwhile, received a boost from Nikola Vucevic, who finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
In their first matchup this year, Jokic led the Nuggets to a 91-87 win. He recorded 20 points and seven rebounds. Denver covered as a 4-point favorite and the two teams combined to score 178 points, which was well under the projected point total of 199.5. Getting to the free throw line was one of Denver’s biggest advantages. They made 39 trips to the line, while Orlando went just 11 times.
Vegas is extremely accurate when setting the total of Magic games, with an even split between overs and unders. Orlando comes into the game with records of 12-15 straight up (SU) and 11-13-2 against the spread (ATS).
Of the Nuggets’ 25 games, 18 have finished under the projected point total. Denver has a respectable 17-8 SU record, but they are just 10-12-3 ATS.
Half-court execution will be at a premium when two of the league’s slowest-paced teams go head-to-head. Denver currently ranks 24th in possessions per game (100.7) and Orlando is 29th (99.5). Moreover, the Magic rank 25th in offensive efficiency (104.0), while the Nuggets rank fourth in defensive efficiency (101.8).
Orlando Magic vs. Denver Nuggets Pick
Free NBA Pick: SU Winner – Magic, ATS Winner – Magic, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Denver ranks fifth in assists per game (26.3) while Orlando ranks 23rd (22.7).
- The Nuggets rank 15th in second chance points per game (13.0) while the Magic rank 26th (12.0).
- Orlando ranks fifth in steals allowed per game (6.9) while Denver ranks eighth (7.2).
- Denver ranks 11th in rebounds per game (46.0) while Orlando ranks 12th in rebounds allowed per game (45.2).
- The Magic rank second in blocks per game (6.5) while the Nuggets rank 18th (5.0).
- The Nuggets rank second in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.0) while the Magic rank fourth (14.5).
- Denver ranks 13th in points in the paint per game (47.6) while Orlando ranks 27th (43.9).
- When holding opponents under 100 points, Orlando is 6-3 and Denver is 10-1.
- The Magic are 9-6 when they score over 100 points, while the Nuggets are 15-4.
- Denver is 6-7-1 ATS at home, while Orlando is 7-5 ATS on the road.
- Of the Magic’s 12 road games, they have 6 overs and 6 unders.
- The Nuggets have 10 unders and 4 overs in 14 home games.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Orlando and Denver have both had 3 unders and 2 overs.
- The Nuggets are 2-2-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Magic are 3-2.
- During their last five games, the Nuggets have scored an average of 105.8 points per game (0.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 101.6 points per game (0.1 below their season average).
- The Magic’s average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 7.4, up from 1.0 for the season.
