The Orlando Magic visit the Staples Center for a matchup against the L.A. Clippers on Saturday afternoon. The matinee tilt features teams in very different positions this season. Orlando is just 5-21 on the year, with L.A. entering at 14-12 through 26 games. Jalen Suggs (thumb), Jonathan Isaac (knee) and Markelle Fultz (knee) are out for the Magic, with Paul George (elbow) ruled out for the Clippers. Nicolas Batum (ankle) is listed as doubtful for the Clippers.
Tipoff is at 3:30 p.m. ET in Los Angeles. Caesars Sportsbook lists Los Angeles as the 8.5-point home favorite, while the over-under, or total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, is 211.5 in the latest Magic vs. Clippers odds. Before making any Clippers vs. Magic picks, be sure to check out the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine’s proven model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit on its top-rated NBA picks over the past three-plus seasons. The model enters Week 8 of the 2021-22 NBA season up almost $2,000 on all top-rated NBA picks this season. It’s also on a stunning 121-78 roll on top-rated NBA picks against the spread that dates back to last season. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Clippers vs. Magic and just locked in its NBA picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Now, here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Magic vs. Clippers:
- Magic vs. Clippers spread: Clippers -8.5
- Magic vs. Clippers over-under: 211.5 points
- Magic vs. Clippers money line: Clippers -420, Magic +320
- ORL: The Magic are 11-15 against the spread this season
- LAC: The Clippers are 12-14 against the spread in 2021-22
Featured Game | Los Angeles Clippers vs. Orlando Magic
Why the Magic can cover
The Magic are struggling this season, but Cole Anthony is a bright spot for Orlando. The talented lead guard is averaging 20.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game for the Magic, keying the team’s offense. Orlando is also a top-eight team in 3-point attempt rate, helping to boost efficiency through shot selection, and the Magic are in the top 10 of the NBA in second-chance points with 13.9 per game.
The Clippers are No. 28 in the NBA in free-throw prevention as well, with the Magic able to carve out extra shots at the charity stripe. Los Angeles also struggles with rebounding and ball security in an overall sense, which could give Orlando extra possessions to work the math in its direction. The Magic are in the top 10 in fast-break points allowed at 11.2 per game, and Orlando is also in the top eight of the NBA in points allowed in the paint, giving up just 43.2 per game in 2021-22.
Why the Clippers can cover
L.A. is elite on the defensive end, and this is also a favorable matchup. The Clippers are allowing fewer than 1.05 points per possession for the season, ranking in the top five of the NBA. The Clippers are also in the top 10 in field-goal percentage (44.1 percent) and 3-point percentage (33.6 percent), with a top-five mark in free-throw prevention, allowing only 17.7 attempts per game.
L.A. also makes life difficult on opponents by giving up only 22.2 assists per game and producing 15.5 turnovers and 8.1 steals per contest. Orlando’s offense is struggling mightily, scoring only 1.02 points per possession, and the Magic rank in the bottom five in turnover rate and shooting efficiency. The Clippers also have the edge on the other end, with the Magic ranking last in defensive rating and net rating (-10.7 points per 100 possessions) to this point in the campaign.
How to make Magic vs. Clippers picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning under on the total, with the teams projected to combine for 210 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits well over 50 percent of the time. You can only see the model’s pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Clippers vs. Magic? And which side of the spread hits well over 50 percent of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its NBA picks, and find out.
