Denver Nuggets vs Orlando Magic Betting Pick & Prediction 1/19/25
The Denver Nuggets (-247) are 6.5-point favorites against the Orlando Magic (+204) on the road. The over/under line for this game is 222 points.
Denver comes into this game with a 25-16 record and is 4th in the Western Conference. The Magic are 7th in the East and have lost two straight games.
DENVER NUGGETS VS ORLANDO MAGIC BETTING PICK
The Pick: Denver Nuggets -6.5
This game will be played at Kia Center at 6:00 ET on Sunday, January 19th.
WHY BET THE DENVER NUGGETS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 130-80 in favor of the Nuggets.
- Our projections have Nikola Jokic finishing with 28 points, 13 rebounds and 9 assists.
- From the field, we have the Nuggets finishing with a field goal percentage of 49.0% and knocking down 12 threes.
Will the Nuggets Pull Through as the Favored Road Team?
The Nuggets improved to 25-16 this season after a 133-113 win over the Heat on Friday. Denver, favored by 3 points, covered the spread with the 20-point victory. The game’s total of 246 points went over the 228.5-point line.
Denver led 30-24 after the 1st quarter and extended their lead by outscoring Miami 37-31 in the 2nd. Both teams scored 31 points in the 3rd, and the Nuggets finished strong, winning the 4th quarter 35-27.
The Nuggets put up 133 points in their win over the Heat, shooting 54.3% from the field and hitting 16 threes at a 48.5% clip. Jamal Murray led the way with 30 points and 8 assists, while Nikola Jokic added 24 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists, shooting 75% from the floor.
Murray scored 11 points in the 2nd quarter, while Jokic added 12 in the 3rd. Julian Strawther contributed 11 of his 14 points in the 4th quarter, and Aaron Gordon scored 10 of his 16 points in the 2nd.
Defensively, the Nuggets gave up 113 points to the Heat, who shot 49% from the field. Denver allowed 24 points in the 1st quarter, 31 in both the 2nd and 3rd, and 27 in the 4th.
The Nuggets did a great job defending the three, holding the Heat to 9 made threes on 27% shooting. Denver also sent Miami to the line 14 times, where they made all their free throws. The Nuggets finished with 34 defensive rebounds, allowing 6 offensive boards, while also recording 5 steals.
Can the Magic Pull Off a Home Win?
Orlando fell to 23-20 on the season after a 121-94 road loss to the Celtics on Friday. The Magic were +14.5 point underdogs going into the game and failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game were 215, just over the 213.5 line.
Orlando struggled throughout the game, losing each quarter. They trailed 35-28 after the 1st quarter and 66-54 at halftime. By the end of the 3rd quarter, they were down 96-76, and they managed only 18 points in the 4th while Boston added 25.
In their 121-94 loss to the Celtics, the Magic’s offense struggled, shooting just 41.5% from the field and making only 5 three-pointers at a 15.6% clip. Cole Anthony led the way with 23 points and 7 rebounds, hitting 2 threes at 40% efficiency.
Paolo Banchero added 21 points and 4 assists, while Wendell Carter Jr. contributed 15 points and 9 boards. Anthony scored 11 of his points in the 2nd quarter, while Banchero put up 9 in the opening period.
Defensively, the Magic struggled against the Celtics, giving up 121 points on 52% shooting. Orlando allowed 35 points in the 1st quarter and 31 in the 2nd, with Boston scoring 30 in the 3rd. The Magic’s best defensive effort came in the 4th, where they allowed 25 points.
Orlando had trouble defending the three, as the Celtics hit 17 threes at a 45% clip. The Magic also sent Boston to the line 22 times, where they converted 20 free throws. Defensively, the Magic recorded 3 steals and 3 blocks.