Teams that have struggled early in the 2022-23 NBA season meet up on Thursday evening when the Golden State Warriors (3-5) travel to take on the Orlando Magic (1-7). Golden State has dropped three straight entering this contest, while a victory over the Hornets on Oct. 28 serves as Orlando’s only win of the season thus far. Golden State is 2-6 against the spread and Orlando has a 2-5-1 ATS mark, though the Magic are 2-0 ATS at home. Golden State’s top contributors are all healthy, but Orlando has six players on its injury report, most notably Cole Anthony (oblique, out) and Terrence Ross (knee, questionable).
Tip-off is at 7 p.m. ET in Orlando. Golden State is the 8-point favorite in the Warriors vs. Magic odds at Caesars Sportsbook. The over/under for total points is set at 226. Before making any Magic vs. Warriors picks, you need to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine’s advanced computer simulation model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past four seasons. The model enters Week 3 of the 2022-23 NBA season on a stunning 97-65 roll on all top-rated NBA picks that dates back to last season, returning more than $2,400. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Warriors vs. Magic and just locked in its picks and NBA predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Now, here are several NBA odds, betting lines, and trends for Magic vs. Warriors:
Warriors vs. Magic spread: Warriors -8Warriors vs. Magic over/under: 226 points Warriors vs. Magic money line: Warriors -355, Magic +278GS: The Warriors are 2-6 against the spread this season ORL: The Magic are 2-5-1 against the spread in 2022-23 Warriors vs. Magic picks: See picks at SportsLine
Featured Game | Orlando Magic vs. Golden State Warriors
Why the Warriors can cover
It hasn’t been the start of the season the Warriors envisioned, but it’s likely a matter of when, not if, they’ll get back on track. Steph Curry and Klay Thompson remain one of the best 3-point shooting duos in NBA history, and Curry has opened the season hot. He’s averaging 30 points per game and is knocking down just under 40% of his 3-pointers. Thompson is a cooler 29.5% from deep, but that should come up as the season progresses.
The Magic have struggled to compete this season. Five of their last six losses have come by eight points or more, so this feels like a spot where Golden State could pick up a double-digit win and cover.
Why the Magic can cover
Orlando can take advantage of Golden State’s early struggles. The Warriors are giving up more than 1.15 points per possession this season, with Golden State ranking No. 28 in free throw prevention and No. 28 in assist prevention. The Warriors are also committing 16.5 turnovers per game and creating only 22.0 free throw attempts per game. Orlando is playing well on the defensive end, giving up only 111.0 points per game and holding opponents to 44.8% shooting. The Magic are yielding 33.8% 3-point shooting to opponents, and allowing 24.3 assists per game and a modest 27.3% offensive rebound rate.
Orlando also has a burgeoning star in No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero, who is averaging 21.8 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. The Magic are shooting 53.8% from 2-point range, and are taking advantage of trips to the free throw line with 24.1 attempts per game and 78.2% shooting.
How to make Warriors vs. Magic picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning Under on the point total, with only one player projected to score 22 points or more. The model also says one side of the spread has all the value. You can only see the model’s pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Warriors vs. Magic? And which side of the spread has all the value? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Warriors vs. Magic spread you need to jump on Thursday, all from the model that has crushed its NBA picks, and find out.
