The Orlando Magic (11-18) go head-to-head with the Portland Trail Blazers (14-13) at Amway Center. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, December 15, 2017, and will air on Fox SportsNet Florida.
Portland Trail Blazers at Orlando Magic Betting Prediction
The Trail Blazers come in on a high note after topping the Miami Heat in their last contest, 102-95. The Trail Blazers made 20 of their 23 free throws (87.0 percent), while the Heat had a turnover percentage of 15.4 (above the 11.9 mark opponents have averaged against Portland this season). With 28 points on 9-for-16 shooting, CJ McCollum was the game’s leading scorer.
In the Magic’s last matchup, they fell to the Los Angeles Clippers, 106-95. Los Angeles’ turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over Orlando. The Clippers had a rate of 7.6 (better than their season average of 13.2), while the Magic posted a mark of 11.0. With 14 points and 12 rebounds, Nikola Vucevic put together a solid game for Orlando.
It could be a tough game for Orlando on the offensive glass. The Magic rank 26th in offensive rebounding percentage (19.2 percent), while Portland ranks fourth in defensive rebounding percentage (80.7 percent).
Portland heads into the contest with records of 14-13 straight up (SU) and 11-13-3 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has a tendency to set the total high when the Trail Blazers are involved, as 70.4 percent of their games have ended under the total.
Meanwhile, Orlando is 11-18 SU and 11-17-1 ATS. Unlike Portland, Magic games have a slight tendency to go over the projected point total (51.7 percent).
Vucevic and Jonathon Simmons have been playing well over the last five games for Orlando. Vucevic has averaged 23.6 points, 13.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 2.6 blocks and 1.2 steals per game. Not to be outdone, Simmons has recorded 19.2 points and 6.0 rebounds a game during that span.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Damian Lillard scored a game-high 26 points and the Trail Blazers beat the Magic 99-94, resulting in a push. He also put up 11 rebounds and seven assists. The game finished with a total of 193 points, which was 21 points below the projected point total of 214 points. The Trail Blazers’ 11.5 turnover percentage was their biggest strength over the Magic, who had a rate of 15.3.
Portland Trail Blazers at Orlando Magic Odds Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Trail Blazers, ATS Winner – Trail Blazers, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Portland is 7-4-1 ATS with 8 unders and 4 overs.
Orlando is 4-9 ATS at home with 7 unders and 6 overs.
Orlando is 5-1 when they allow less than 100 points, while Portland is 10-3.
In games where they reach 100 points, the Magic are 11-10 and the Trail Blazers are 12-6.
Portland ranks first in assists allowed per game (18.3) while Orlando ranks 28th (25.0).
The Trail Blazers rank fifth in rebounds allowed per game (41.2) while the Magic rank 28th (46.5).
Orlando averages 5.1 blocks per game, which ranks eighth in the league. Portland ranks 27th in blocks allowed per game (5.6).
The Trail Blazers rank 11th in points allowed in the paint per game (42.4) while the Magic rank 28th (49.4).
Orlando ranks 13th in fast break points per game (11.0) while Portland ranks 29th (5.1).
The Magic rank 12th in three pointers attempted per game (30.0) while the Trail Blazers rank 25th (25.1).
Portland ranks 13th in second chance points per game (12.4) while Orlando ranks 25th (10.1).
The Magic rank 18th in steals per game (7.6) while the Trail Blazers rank 29th (6.6).
Orlando ranks 24th in points off turnovers per game (15.4) while Portland ranks 26th (14.9).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Portland is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Orlando is 0-5 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Trail Blazers have been outscored by an average of 5.6 points in their last five games. For the season, Portland has defeated opponents by an average of 2.0 points.
During their last five games, the Magic have scored an average of 99.6 points per game (7.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 107.2 points per game (3.4 below their season average).
