The Orlando Magic (12-26) will try to slow down the NBA’s top scoring team when they take on the Houston Rockets (26-9) at Amway Center. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 3, 2018, and will air on ATTSN Southwest.
Houston opened as an 8-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 220 points.
Houston Rockets vs. Orlando Magic ATS Prediction
The Rockets come in on a high note after defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in their last game, 148-142. Houston’s turnover percentage was their biggest strength over Los Angeles. The Rockets had a rate of 8.2 (better than their season average of 13.5), while the Lakers posted a mark of 10.3. With 40 points on 10-for-20 shooting, James Harden was the game’s high scorer.
The last time the Magic played, they lost a tough one against the Brooklyn Nets, 98-95. Brooklyn’s effective field goal percentage was their largest strength over Orlando. The Nets had a rate of 0.494 (below their season average of 0.510), while the Magic posted a mark of 0.396 (below their season average of 0.521). With 13 points and 17 rebounds, Bismack Biyombo had a good performance for Orlando.
It could be a tough game for Orlando on the offensive glass. The Magic rank 28th in offensive rebounding percentage (19.4 percent), while Houston ranks third in defensive rebounding percentage (80.4 percent). Furthermore, the top-ranked offense of the Rockets (offensive efficiency of 113.5) will face off against the 27th-ranked defense of the Magic (defensive efficiency of 108.8).
Houston heads into the contest with records of 26-9 straight up (SU) and 16-18-1 against the spread (ATS). Just over half of the Rockets’ games have finished over the total.
Meanwhile, Orlando is 12-26 SU and 13-24-1 ATS. In opposition of Houston, a little over half of Magic games have finished under the total.
Elfrid Payton has averaged 18.8 points, 8.6 assists, 5.6 rebounds and 1.2 steals over the last five games for Orlando.
After the Rockets won both games against the Magic last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the last matchup, Houston won 128-104. The Rockets had a much better free throw rate (0.270 vs. 0.159) and had a much better turnover percentage (8.7 vs. 14.2).
Houston Rockets at Orlando Magic Odds Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Rockets, ATS Winner – Magic, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Houston is 9-7 ATS on the road with 9 unders, 6 overs and 1 push.
Orlando is 5-12 ATS at home with 10 unders and 7 overs.
Orlando is 6-3 when they allow below 100 points, while Houston is 11-2.
In games where they score above 100 points, the Magic are 12-13 and the Rockets are 26-6.
Houston ranks fourth in rebounds allowed per game (41.2) while Orlando ranks 29th (46.5).
The Rockets rank fourth in points off turnovers per game (18.6) while the Magic rank 23rd (15.3).
Houston ranks third in steals per game (9.1) while Orlando ranks 21st (7.3).
The Rockets rank first in three pointers attempted per game (43.3) while the Magic rank 15th (29.2).
Orlando averages 45.2 points in the paint per game, which ranks 12th in the league. Houston ranks 26th in points allowed in the paint per game (47.7).
The Rockets rank 14th in assists allowed per game (22.1) while the Magic rank 28th (24.7).
Orlando averages 11.5 fast break points per game, which ranks 11th in the NBA. Houston ranks 22nd in fast break points allowed per game (12.5).
The Rockets rank 15th in second chance points per game (12.0) while the Magic rank 25th (10.3).
Orlando ranks 12th in blocks per game (4.8) while Houston ranks 15th in blocks allowed per game (4.9).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Houston is 0-5 ATS with 2 overs, 2 unders and 1 push.
Orlando is 1-4 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Rockets have been outscored by an average of 5.6 points in their last five games. For the season, Houston has defeated opponents by an average of 8.4 points.
During their last five games, the Magic have scored an average of 100.0 points per game (4.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 108.2 points per game (1.8 below their season average).
