Brooklyn Nets vs Orlando Magic Betting Pick & Prediction 12/29/24
At 3:30 ET, the Brooklyn Nets (+243) will travel to take on the Orlando Magic (-295) in an Eastern Conference matchup. The Magic are currently favored by 7 points, and the over/under line is set at 204.5.
Orlando (19-14) is currently on a 2-game losing streak and is 4th in the Eastern Conference. Brooklyn (12-19) is 12th in the East and 4th in the Atlantic Division.
BROOKLYN NETS VS ORLANDO MAGIC BETTING PICK
The Pick: Brooklyn Nets +7
This game will be played at Kia Center at 3:30 ET on Sunday, December 29th.
WHY BET THE BROOKLYN NETS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 99-78 in favor of the Nets.
- Our projections have Cam Thomas finishing with 24 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists.
- From the field, we have the Nets finishing with a field goal percentage of 47.4% and knocking down 11 threes.
Can the Nets Pull Off a Road Win?
Brooklyn’s season record dropped to 12-19 after a 96-87 home loss to the Spurs on Friday. The Nets, who were +8 point underdogs, failed to cover the spread. The game’s total score of 183 points was well below the 212.5-point line.
The Nets started strong, holding the Spurs to 11 points in the 1st quarter. However, San Antonio responded with a 12-0 run, and Brooklyn couldn’t recover, despite outscoring the Spurs 25-22 in the 4th quarter.
The Nets struggled offensively in their 96-87 loss to the Spurs, shooting just 38.9% from the field and 29.3% from three-point range, making 12 threes overall. Keon Johnson led Brooklyn with 25 points, hitting 4 threes at a 40% clip, while Shake Milton added 16 points and 12 assists, connecting on 3 threes at 50% efficiency.
Johnson scored 15 of his 25 points in the 4th quarter, while Tyrese Martin added 4 of his 13 points in the final period. Milton contributed 7 points in both the 2nd and 3rd quarters, and Nic Claxton and Jalen Wilson each chipped in 3 points in the 4th.
Despite a strong defensive effort, the Nets couldn’t capitalize, allowing 96 points in their loss to the Spurs. Brooklyn started well, giving up just 11 points in the 1st quarter, but struggled in the 2nd and 3rd, allowing 30 and 33 points, respectively. They tightened up in the 4th, holding San Antonio to 22 points. Overall, the Nets held the Spurs to 41% shooting from the field.
Brooklyn limited the Spurs to 12 made threes, though San Antonio shot 41% from beyond the arc. The Nets sent the Spurs to the line 27 times, where they made 20 free throws. Brooklyn collected 33 defensive rebounds while allowing 11 offensive boards. They also recorded 8 steals and 4 blocks.
Do the Magic Have What it Takes to Win as Home Favorites?
The Magic dropped to 19-14 on the season after a 108-85 home loss to the Knicks on Friday. Orlando entered the game as +6.5 point underdogs but failed to cover the spread, losing by 23 points. The total score of 193 points fell short of the 213.5-point O/U line.
Orlando started strong, leading 29-26 after the 1st quarter, but the Knicks took control by outscoring the Magic 28-25 in the 2nd quarter. Orlando struggled offensively in the 3rd, scoring just 14 points, and the Knicks pulled away in the 4th, outscoring the Magic 32-17.
In their 108-85 loss to the Knicks, the Magic shot just 36.8% from the field and 30.3% from three-point range, making 10 threes overall. Jalen Suggs led Orlando with 27 points, hitting 4 threes at a 66.7% clip, and added 4 rebounds and 3 assists.
Goga Bitadze contributed 14 points and 11 rebounds, shooting 66.7% from the floor. Suggs and Bitadze both scored 11 points in the opening quarter, with Suggs adding 7 more in the 2nd.
Despite giving up 108 points, the Magic held the Knicks to just 4 made three-pointers on 26% shooting from beyond the arc. Orlando’s defense was solid in the 3rd quarter, where they allowed just 22 points, but they struggled in the 4th, giving up 32 points.
The Magic sent the Knicks to the free-throw line 34 times, where they converted 24 attempts. Orlando allowed 12 offensive rebounds while recording 7 steals and 3 blocks in the game.