basketball | Wednesday, December 21, 2022 11:48 AM (Revised at: Wednesday, December 21, 2022 11:52 AM)

Houston Rockets vs Orlando Magic Best Bet: Backing Orlando To Make It Seven Wins From Eight

Sam Cox

Houston Rockets vs Orlando Magic Best Bet: Wednesday, December 21st

The Houston Rockets are 9-21 and host fellow rebuilders in the 11-21 Orlando Magic on Wednesday night. Houston are 1.5-point underdogs on their homecourt in what is the second meeting between these teams in 2022-23 after the Rockets won by 13 points in Florida on November 7th.

Since then, Orlando has gone 9-12. The Rockets are 7-12 over that span. Healthier than the opening weeks of the campaign, the Magic were on a shock six-game winning streak prior to their loss to the Hawks on Monday night.

There are still some notable absentees for Orlando, however. Gary Harris, Jalen Suggs, Wendell Carter Jr, Chuma Okeke and Jonathan Isaac are all out here. Franz Wagner is questionable. Houston is missing Garrison Matthews and Jae’Sean Tate.

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Houston Rockets vs Orlando Magic Preview
Houston Rockets vs Orlando Magic Best Bet

Houston Rockets vs Orlando Magic Preview

Thu, Dec 22. 01:10 (UK time)

Both of these teams have done a decent job against the spread on the year. Orlando has covered more often than not lately, and Houston is 7-5-2 ATS at home. The Magic own a solid 6-8 record straight up against teams below .500.

While the general outlook for these two franchises is similar in the medium and long-term, they are miles apart over the last couple of weeks. Orlando has beaten title contenders Boston (twice) and toppled the Hawks, Raptors and Clippers. They are 12th in net rating over the last 10 games.

Houston has a few marquee wins of its own recently, yet they have also suffered two losses to the San Antonio Spurs and fallen to defeat in three straight games. Only the Spurs, Wizards and Hornets own a worse net rating over the last 10 games.

Of course, Wagner’s possible absence is a big factor for the Magic at both ends of the floor. He has been integral in their surge. They have been winning without Carter, though, and Markelle Fultz’s return has helped the team’s playmaking.

Rebounding has been part of the Magic putting together a string of wins – they are sixth in rebound rate over the last seven. Houston are a testing matchup in that department with only the Knicks grabbing a higher percentage of boards.

Houston Rockets vs Orlando Magic Best Bet

Improved guard play has also seen the Magic turn it over less (they are around league average in turnover rate), which is an area heavily in their favour here. Houston average the most turnovers per game. Orlando’s offence is at its best when they can get out in transition, something they can enjoy frequently on Wednesday night.

The Jabari Smith and Paolo Banchero matchup is going to be under the spotlight in this game, and it’s clear Banchero has an advantage through the first few months of their NBA careers. Orlando is also a more talented, balanced team, though, and they are a good bet to make it seven wins from eight.

Selection: Orlando Magic to Win
Best Odds: 1.86 (SBK)
Stakes: 5/10

Odds as of 3:00 pm December 21st, 2022. Odds may now differ.

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