Orlando Magic vs Toronto Raptors Betting Pick & Prediction 1/3/25

At 7:30 ET, the Toronto Raptors (8-26) will host the Orlando Magic (20-15) in an Eastern Conference matchup. Toronto is currently 13th in the East, while Orlando is 4th. The Magic are favored by 1.5 points, and the over/under line is set at 216.5.

This game will be played at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. The Magic (-125) are 1st in the Southeast Division, while the Raptors (+105) are 5th in the Atlantic. SN will have TV coverage.

ORLANDO MAGIC VS TORONTO RAPTORS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Toronto Raptors +1.5

This game will be played at Scotiabank Arena at 7:30 ET on Friday, January 3rd.

WHY BET THE TORONTO RAPTORS:

  • We have this one finishing with a projected score of 164-73 in favor of the Raptors.
  • Our projections have RJ Barrett finishing with 22 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists.
  • From the field, we have the Raptors finishing with a field goal percentage of 47.0% and knocking down 15 threes.

Will Orlando Live Up to Expectations on the Road?

Orlando fell to 20-15 on the season after a 105-96 road loss to the Pistons on Wednesday. The Magic, who were +2.5 point underdogs, failed to cover the spread. The total score of 201 points came in under the 212-point line.

Orlando’s 10-0 run earlier in the game put them in control, but they couldn’t maintain their momentum. After cutting the deficit to 84-75 heading into the 4th quarter, they couldn’t close the gap, as both teams scored 21 points in the final period.

In their 96-point effort against the Pistons, the Magic shot just 40.7% from the field and struggled from beyond the arc, hitting only 8 threes at a 22.9% clip. Jalen Suggs led the way with 24 points, including 11 in the 3rd quarter, while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 21, shooting 66.7% from deep and scoring 11 points in the opening period.

Wendell Carter Jr. contributed 15 points and 8 rebounds, with 6 of his points coming in the 4th quarter. Suggs also added 8 points in the final period, finishing with 3 made threes at 33.3% efficiency.

Despite a strong defensive effort in the 3rd and 4th quarters, the Magic couldn’t overcome their early struggles, allowing 31 points in the 1st and 34 in the 2nd. They gave up 105 points on 51% shooting from the field.

Orlando also struggled to defend the three, as the Pistons hit 12 threes at a 41% clip. The Magic sent Detroit to the line 17 times, where they made 11 free throws. Defensively, the Magic recorded 18 steals and 5 blocks.

Can the Raptors Pull the Upset at Home?

The Raptors improved to 8-26 this season with a 130-113 win over the Nets on Wednesday. Playing at home, Toronto was favored by 1 point and covered the spread, while the game’s total of 243 points went well over the 218.5-point line.

After trailing 33-26 after the 1st quarter, the Raptors took control by outscoring the Nets 39-31 in the 2nd quarter. Heading into the 4th with a 94-91 lead, Toronto’s defense stepped up, holding Brooklyn to 22 points while scoring 36. A key 10-0 run extended their lead from 111-99 to 121-99.

Scottie Barnes led the Raptors to a 130-113 win over the Nets, scoring 33 points on 77.8% shooting, including 3 threes at 75%. Toronto shot 59.1% from the field and hit 16 threes at a 50% rate, with Gradey Dick adding 22 points and 4 threes, and Immanuel Quickley contributing 21 points and 15 assists, knocking down 3 threes.

Barnes scored 10 points in both the 3rd and 4th quarters, while Quickley added 8 points in the final period. Ochai Agbaji also chipped in 5 points in the 4th, finishing with 14 points overall.

Despite a rough start, the Raptors tightened up their defense in the 2nd half, allowing just 49 points in the 3rd and 4th quarters to secure the win over the Nets. Toronto gave up 113 points on 48% shooting from the field.

The Raptors did a good job defending the three, holding Brooklyn to 11 made threes on 29% shooting. Toronto also limited the Nets to just 4 offensive rebounds while racking up 8 steals and 6 blocks.