Lakers vs. Magic Predictions, Picks & Odds: NBA On NBATV, Monday 3/24
Following a Sunday full of title favorites getting the job done on the road, a nine-game winning streak snapped and more, the NBA is right back in action with a big night that includes an NBATV doubleheader. That tips off with a match in Orlando, and we’ve got our Lakers vs. Magic predictions for you below.
You’ll also be able to enjoy LeBron James’ second game back with a best bet from our Lakers vs. Magic picks, and ultimately, a $1,500 BetMGM Sportsbook welcome bonus!
Lakers vs. Magic Predictions for NBA on NBATV, 3/24
While there was plenty of action to wrap up the weekend yesterday, it didn’t involve the Lakers or the Magic. As for the last time that we saw these teams, they had split results, as Orlando was able to get a big road win by 15 points.
However, that coming against the Washington Wizards was to be expected. As for the first return of LeBron James, the Lakers allowed their most points all season in a 146-115 loss to the Chicago Bulls. That coming at home made it even more painful on top of the return of LeBron James.
Although they’re now across the country in Orlando, the Lakers vs. Magic odds still have LA as the clear favorites, but rather than focused on that market, the best bet from our Lakers vs. Magic predictions is going to be targeting the total instead.
Los Angeles Lakers: The Return Of The King
Following a groin injury that saw the Lakers faithful doubtful for a title run, even with Luka Doncic in the mix, LeBron James finally made his return on Saturday night in front of the home crowd. As mentioned, it was a quite a rough loss, as getting beat by a then 30-40 Chicago Bulls team by 31 points is tough to swallow.
In the loss, LeBron had a rather pedestrian performance by his standards, going for just 17 points, six rebounds and four assists. The positive aspect of his return was that he was on the court for 31 minutes, which was on par with Luka Doncic’s 32 minutes. A healthy duo still gives LA hope for a deep playoff run.
Orlando Magic: Dwight Howard’s Magic Hall Of Fame Induction
When it comes to the Magic this season, there has been much discussion in terms of whether or not the team is a true contender in the Eastern Conference or not. Well, heading into tonight’s matchup, the focus has shifted from ‘contender or pretender’ debates to the Magic Hall of Fame induction.
The former big man was one of the most polarizing, and often intimidated, players in his prime. The tail end of his career was just as headline-making, and the Orlando franchise has announced that they will stream the event on their YouTube channel. For some, this may end up being a sign to back Orlando for their Lakers vs. Magic picks.
Lakers vs. Magic Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines
As mentioned, LA is favored on the road tonight, and you can see the latest Lakers vs. Magic odds at BetMGM Sportsbook below:
- Point Spread: Los Angeles Lakers -3.5 (-110) vs. Orlando Magic +3.5 (-110)
- Money Line: Los Angeles Lakers (-170) vs. Orlando Magic (+140)
- Game Total (Over/Under): Over 214 (-110) vs. Under 214 (-110)
Lakers vs. Magic Best Bet: Over 214 Points (-110 at BetMGM Sportsbook)
Also as mentioned, the best bet from our Lakers vs. Magic predictions is going to focus on the total rather than sweating out a winner. Not only can road favorites be tough to trust, but that’s even more the case with the Lakers as far away from home as possible and looking so rough their last time on the court.
While that should also have them eager to avenge that loss, we’re also avoiding worrying about a winner given the last time these teams met this season. While they don’t face one another often, their earlier matchup was a 119-118 win for the Magic. What we will use from that game instead is how terrible oddsmakers read that matchup.
Admittedly, the Lakers and Magic are two teams that have been solid for under bettors this season. Well, we certainly aren’t the only ones who know that, which is why oddsmakers set the total in that previous matchup to just 215.5 points. That’s quite low for NBA games these days, and that game soared over the total by a whopping 21.5 points!
As for tonight’s game, we not only have another low total, but one that is even lower than that previous meeting. We’d never suggest putting all your stock into a one-game sample, but seeing the Bulls put up 146 on the Lakers just two nights is also not something to be ignored. It wasn’t as if it was just one historic night from a single player, either.
Chicago had seven players score double digits, including two with 31+ points. Interestingly enough, the Magic also played the Bulls recently, which ended in a 125-123 loss. We’re not saying that this will end up being a record-setting night for points, but rather that the set total is simply too low.
Therefore, the best bet from our Lakers vs. Magic predictions is on the over 214 points (-110 at BetMGM Sportsbook).
Lakers vs. Magic Injury Report & Starting Lineup
We’ve already reiterated the big injury news of this matchup, and the NBA as a whole, which was the recent return of LeBron James for the Lakers. In other LA news, we have Rui Hachimura listed as questionable for tonight. In Orlando, both Cole Anthony and Trevelin Queen are listed as questionable for tonight as well.
As for starting lineups…
LA Lakers:
ORL Magic:
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Player News
Buddy Hield had 15 points (5-of-14 FGs), three rebounds, one assist, one steal and four three-pointers against the Timberwolves in Game 2 on Thursday.
Hield moved into the Warriors’ starting lineup in the first round and the team became somewhat reliant on his scoring. With Stephen Curry (hamstring) out in Game 2, Hield started and played 29 minutes. The 32-year-old shooting guard led the Warriors in field goal attempts, though no one in a Golden State uniform was able to reach 20 points. The Warriors weren’t able to overcome a double-digit first half deficit. Despite the four made three-pointers, they’re going to need more from Hield as the series shifts to Golden State, especially if Curry remains out.
Jimmy Butler had 17 points (6-of-13 FGs), seven rebounds, four assists, one steal and two three-pointers against the Timberwolves in Game 2 on Thursday.
Butler couldn’t get it done without Stephen Curry (hamstring) on the road in Game 2. The Warriors fell behind by double-digits early and never recovered. Butler had 17 points on 13 shots, which wasn’t far off from the 20 points he had in Game 1. Still, the Warriors have to regroup as they head home for Games 3 and 4 as they try to figure out a way to keep this series close until Curry can return to the court.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker had 20 points (7-of-13 FGs), two rebounds, three assists, one block and four three-pointers in Game 2 against the Warriors on Thursday.
Alexander-Walker was a key scorer off the bench in Game 2. He, Naz Reid and Donte DiVencenzo combined for 10 made three-pointers off the bench. In a game where the Warriors were desperate for scoring without Stephen Curry (hamstring), those bench points were too much to overcome as the Timberwolves won by 24 points.
Julius Randle had 24 points (10-of-17 FGs), seven rebounds, 11 assists and one three-pointer in Game 2 against the Warriors on Thursday.
Randle led the Timberwolves in scoring in the Game 2 victory. The 30-year-old power forward was just three rebounds away from a triple-double. He was a steadying presence in his 33 minutes as Anthony Edwards dealt with an ankle injury towards the end of the first half. Edwards recovered from his injury to play 34 minutes, but Randle is still the next most important player in this series for the Timberwolves.
Anthony Edwards had 20 points (6-of-13 FGs), nine rebounds, five assists, three steals, one block and two three-pointers in the Timberwolves’ 117-93 victory over the Warriors in Game 2 on Thursday.
Edwards appeared to suffer a sprained left ankle towards the end of the second quarter as the Warriors’ Trayce Jackson-Davis landed on his foot. Edwards turned the same ankle in the first round against the Lakers and appeared to re-aggravate the injury. The 23-year-old shooting guard would go on to start the second half and play a team-high 34 minutes in the Game 2 victory. Edwards will only have one full day off before the series resumes in Golden State for Game 3 on Saturday.
Warriors will start Brandin Podziemski, Buddy Hield, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green and Quinten Post in Game 2 against the Timberwolves on Thursday.
No surprise here as Curry was always a long shot to make it back for Game 2 after leaving Game 1 with hamstring injury. While there has been a report that the 37-year-old point guard is expected to miss a week, there is no firm timetable for his return. The Warriors will go big with their starting lineup for Game 2 with center Quinten Post entering the lineup in Curry’s absence.