The Oklahoma City Thunder (20-5) are on the road to play against the Orlando Magic (17-11) in a cross-conference battle on Thursday. The Thunder were handed a 97-81 loss by the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Cup Championship Game. Orlando, meanwhile, limps into tonight's contest having lost two consecutive games. On Sunday, the New York Knicks topped the Magic 100-91. Paolo Banchero (oblique) and Franz Wagner (oblique) are both out for the Magic.
Tipoff from Kia Center in Orlando is 7 p.m. ET. Oklahoma City is a 6.5-point favorite in the latest Thunder vs. Magic odds via SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 210. Before locking in any Magic vs. Thunder picks, make sure to check out the NBA predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past six-plus seasons. The model enters Week 9 of the 2024-25 NBA season on a sizzling 124-84 roll on all top-rated NBA picks dating back to last season, returning more than $3,000. Anyone following at sportsbooks and on betting apps has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has simulated Thunder vs. Magic 10,000 times and just revealed its coveted NBA picks and betting predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several NBA odds and NBA betting lines for Thunder vs. Magic:
- Thunder vs. Magic spread: Oklahoma City -6.5
- Thunder vs. Magic over/under: 210 points
- Thunder vs. Magic money line: Oklahoma City -269, Orlando +218
- OKC: The Thunder are 16-10 against the spread this season
- ORL: The Magic are 16-12 against the spread this season
- Thunder vs. Magic picks: See picks at SportsLine
- Thunder vs. Magic streaming: FuboTV (Try for free)
Why the Thunder can cover
Guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the main ball handler and shot creator on the floor. Gilgeous-Alexander ranks third in the NBA in points per game (30.3) to go along with 5.5 rebounds and 6.3 assists. The 26-year-old has notched 30-plus points in four of the last five games. On Dec. 14 against the Houston Rockets, Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 32 points, eight rebounds, and six assists.
Center Isaiah Hartenstein recently returned to the frontcourt. Hartenstein is active in the lane as a rebounder with soft hands around the basket. He averages 12.5 points, 12.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists per game. Hartenstein has eight double-doubles this season. In his last game, the six-year pro had 16 points and 12 rebounds. See which team to back at SportsLine.
Why the Magic can cover
Guard Jalen Suggs is an athletic two-way threat in the backcourt. Suggs creates his own shot but has active hands defensively. The Gonzaga product logs 16.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. On Dec. 10 versus the Milwaukee Bucks, Suggs had 32 points and nine rebounds. He's scored 20-plus points in three of his last four games.
Center Goga Bitadze gives Orlando a lengthy player in the paint. Bitadze puts up 8.9 points and 7.7 rebounds while shooting 63% from the field. The 26-year-old has notched a double-double in two of his last three games. In the Dec. 8 game against the Suns, Bitadze totaled 21 points, 16 rebounds, and four assists. See which team to back at SportsLine.
How to make Thunder vs. Magic picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over the total, projecting 211 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in almost 60% of simulations. You can head to SportsLine to see the model's picks.
So who wins Thunder vs. Magic on Thursday, and which side of the spread hits nearly 60% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Thunder vs. Magic spread to back, all from the model that has returned well over $10,000 on top-rated NBA picks, and find out.
