It has been a long time since we have seen a team clinch a playoff spot with a couple of months still to play in the regular season. That, though, is what the Milwaukee Bucks did over the weekend, which also leads you to believe that it’s really only a matter of time before they also go on and clinch the Eastern Conference. The Toronto Raptors are realistically the only team that can catch the Bucks before the season comes to a close, but with the Bucks on pace to win 70 games this season, that come from behind win seems a little unlikely. What that means is that the battle for the other seedings in the East is about to heat up over the next 50+ days, with the race at the bottom of the playoff pack one of the toughest. After all, who wants the #8 spot and a first round date with the Bucks? The Magic and Nets are both hovering around that spot, so this Monday night meeting is a big one with playoff implications. Brooklyn is favored by 3 ½ on home court, with the point total for this one set at 212. Let’s see how the NBA odds will be for the Magic vs Nets.
Magic vs Nets 2020 NBA Game Preview & Betting Odds
- When: Monday, February 24 at 7:30 PM EST
- Where: Barclays Center, NYC
- Radio: Orlando / Brooklyn
- TV: NBATV
- NBA Odds: Brooklyn Nets -4 / Total 214
Why bet on the Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic are the team currently hanging on to the #8 seed in the Eastern Conference, and while they are 3 ½ games up on the team below them, the Magic are heading in the wrong direction/ Orlando comes into this one on a run that has seen them win just 3 of their last 10 games, a run that takes their season record to 24-32. They did beat the Nets 101-89 in their only other meeting this season, but that game was on home court. On the road this season, the Magic have yet to hit double-digit wins, going 9-18 away from home. They are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 road games this season, as well as just 2-10 ATS in their last 12 games overall. They have only managed 2 wins in their last 12 visits to Brooklyn.
Team Stats
Offense- Total Score: 103.96
- Field Goal %: 43.27
- Three Point %: 33.41
- Free Throw %: 76.53
- Total Rebounds: 44.61
Defense
- Total Score: 105.73
- Field Goal %: 45.86
- Three Point %: 36.58
- Free Throw %: 76.99
- Total Rebounds: 46.05
Why bet on the Brooklyn Nets
After going out and getting Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in the offseason, the belief was that the Nets might be set to challenge for the top spot in the East. Instead, they are going to be playing this game without both of their injured stars, with Irving now done for the year. The end result is that the Nets are a truly disappointing 3 games below .500 at 26-39, which has them down in the #7 spot in the East. There are still some things to like about the Nets right now, at least from a betting standpoint. They have won 5 of their last 7 games and are 6-1 ATS during that stretch. They have also covered the spread in each of their last 5 home games. They are 16-12 SU in their own building this season.
Team Stats
Offense- Total Score: 110.51
- Field Goal %: 44.37
- Three Point %: 34.13
- Free Throw %: 74.31
- Total Rebounds: 48.42
Defense
- Total Score: 110.56
- Field Goal %: 43.98
- Three Point %: 34.42
- Free Throw %: 76.04
- Total Rebounds: 46.36
Nets vs Magic NBA Betting Trends
- Orlando are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Orlando’s last 7 games.
- Orlando are 3-9 SU in their last 12 games.
- Orlando are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games against Brooklyn.
- Brooklyn are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games.
- The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Brooklyn’s last 8 games.
- Brooklyn are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games.
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Brooklyn’s last 6 games against Orlando.
- Brooklyn are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games at home.
Nets vs Magic Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction
The nets are coming into this one battered and bruised, but I think they still have enough in the tank to get the win on home court. I also think that they might just do enough to cover the spread.
Orlando Magic 105 Brooklyn Nets 111
