Portland Trail Blazers vs Orlando Magic Betting Pick & Prediction 1/23/25
At 7:00 ET, the Orlando Magic (-341) will host the Portland Trail Blazers (+275) in a non-conference matchup. The Magic (-8.5) are currently on a four-game losing streak and sit 8th in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers (+8.5) have won two straight and are 13th in the Western Conference.
This game will be played at the Kia Center in Orlando and can be seen on KATU.
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS VS ORLANDO MAGIC BETTING PICK
The Pick: Portland Trail Blazers +8.5
This game will be played at Kia Center at 7:00 ET on Thursday, January 23rd.
WHY BET THE PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 138-114 in favor of the Trail Blazers.
- Our projections have Anfernee Simons finishing with 19 points, 3 rebounds and 5 assists.
- From the field, we have the Trail Blazers finishing with a field goal percentage of 45.6% and knocking down 15 threes.
Will the Trail Blazers Win on the Road?
Portland improved to 15-28 on the season with a 116-107 win over the Heat on Tuesday. The Blazers, who were +9 point underdogs, not only won but also covered the spread. The combined score of 223 points went over the pre-game total of 218.5.
After Miami went on an 11-0 run early, the Blazers responded by outscoring the Heat 27-17 in the 2nd quarter and 36-22 in the 3rd. Portland entered the 4th quarter with a 97-77 lead, and while the Heat outscored them 30-19 in the final frame, the Blazers held on for the win.
Anfernee Simons hit 6 threes at a 50% clip, finishing with 24 points and 4 rebounds in the Trail Blazers’ win over the Heat. Deandre Ayton added 22 points and 15 rebounds, shooting 78.6% from the field. Portland made 15 threes, shooting 34.9% from deep and 49.4% overall.
Simons scored 11 points in the 1st quarter and another 7 in the 4th. Ayton contributed 8 points in both the 1st and 3rd quarters, while Jerami Grant added 10 of his 18 points in the 3rd.
After a rough start defensively, giving up 38 points in the 1st quarter, the Trail Blazers tightened up in the 2nd, allowing just 17 points. They continued their strong defensive play in the 3rd, holding the Heat to 22 points, before giving up 30 in the 4th. Overall, Portland allowed 107 points on 44% shooting from the field.
The Trail Blazers did a solid job defending the three, with Miami hitting 14 threes on 33% shooting. Portland also sent the Heat to the line just 12 times, where they made 11 free throws. The Blazers collected 36 defensive rebounds while giving up 12 offensive boards, and they added 3 steals and 5 blocks.
Can Orlando Deliver Being Favored at Home?
The Magic’s season record dropped to 23-22 after a 109-93 loss to the Raptors on Tuesday. Orlando, who were -1 point favorites, not only lost but failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game were 202, falling short of the 212.5 O/U line.
Orlando started strong, going on a 10-0 run and winning the 1st quarter 37-24. However, they struggled in the 2nd quarter, scoring just 13 points, and were outscored 40-20 in the 3rd. They entered the 4th quarter down 85-70 and couldn’t mount a comeback.
In their 109-93 loss to the Raptors, the Magic struggled offensively, shooting just 41.2% from the field and hitting 29% from three-point range, making only 9 threes. Paolo Banchero led the way with 26 points and 12 rebounds, connecting on 42.9% of his threes and shooting 52.6% overall.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 20 points, shooting 66.7% from the field and hitting 2 threes at 40%. Anthony Black contributed 17 points, despite shooting 35.3%. Both Caldwell-Pope and Black scored 9 points in the opening quarter.
Despite a strong defensive effort in the 1st, 2nd, and 4th quarters, the Magic couldn’t overcome a rough 3rd quarter, where they allowed 40 points in a 109-93 loss to the Raptors. Orlando gave up 13 three-pointers, with Toronto shooting 54% from deep.
The Magic sent the Raptors to the line 28 times, where they hit 18 free throws. Orlando finished with 34 defensive rebounds, allowing 5 offensive boards, and added 5 steals and 2 blocks.