The Golden State Warriors (3-5) continue their swing through the Sunshine State when they take on the Orlando Magic (1-7) on Thursday evening. It's one of just two games on the Thursday NBA schedule, giving these teams a spotlight opportunity. The Warriors have lost three straight, including a 116-109 setback in Miami on Tuesday. Orlando has just one win on the season and both sides only have two covers this year. Cole Anthony (oblique) is out for Orlando while Terrence Ross (knee) is questionable. The Warriors list Donte DiVincenzo (hamstring) and Andre Iguodala (hip) as out.
Tip-off at Amway Center in Orlando, Fla., is set for 7 p.m. ET. Golden State is -9.5 in the latest Warriors vs. Magic odds from Caesars Sportsbook. The over/under for total points is set at 225.5. Before making any Magic vs. Warriors picks, you need to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's advanced computer simulation model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past four seasons. The model enters Week 3 of the 2022-23 NBA season on a stunning 97-65 roll on all top-rated NBA picks that dates back to last season, returning more than $2,400. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Warriors vs. Magic and just locked in its picks and NBA predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Now, here are several NBA odds, betting lines, and trends for Magic vs. Warriors:
- Warriors vs. Magic spread: Warriors -9.5
- Warriors vs. Magic over/under: 225.5 points
- Warriors vs. Magic money line: Warriors -455, Magic +345
- GS: The Warriors are 2-6 against the spread this season
- ORL: The Magic are 2-5-1 against the spread in 2022-23
- Warriors vs. Magic picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Warriors can cover
Golden State's offense is highly productive, averaging 117.5 points per game to begin the 2022-23 season. The Warriors use elite ball movement to create opportunities, ranking in the top three of the NBA with 29 assists per game and a 68% assist percentage. Golden State is shooting 56.5% from 2-point range and 80.7% from the free throw line, and the Warriors have clear defensive strengths. The Warriors are holding opponents to less than 35% 3-point shooting this season, and Golden State is creating 15.6 turnovers per game.
Orlando's offense is also a clear weakness, with the Magic scoring only 106.3 points per 100 possessions. That puts the Magic in the bottom five of the NBA in efficiency, and Orlando is shooting only 31% from beyond the 3-point arc. Orlando is generating only 19.9 assists per game, a bottom-five mark, and the Magic are averaging 15.6 turnovers per game. With those statistical edges and Golden State's championship pedigree, the Warriors can enter the matchup with confidence.
Why the Magic can cover
Orlando has a rising star in forward Paolo Banchero. The top pick in the 2022 NBA Draft is averaging 21.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game and he's the clear-cut early favorite to win Rookie of the Year. He'll be helped out in this one by an emerging young core that includes center Wendell Carter Jr., small forward Franz Wagner and guard Jalen Suggs.
This is just Orlando's third home game of the season, but the Magic have looked good in their first two opportunities at Amway Center. Their only win of the season came at home against the Hornets on Oct. 28. They also covered as 8.5-point underdogs against the Celtics on Oct. 28, so there are reasons for optimism that the Magic will be able to at least keep it within the large spread here.
How to make Warriors vs. Magic picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Under on the point total, with only one player projected to score 22 points or more. The model also says one side of the spread hits in well over 50% of simulations. You can only see the model's pick at SportsLine.
