basketball | Thursday, February 9, 2023 11:04 AM (Revised at: Thursday, February 9, 2023 1:38 PM)

Orlando Magic vs Denver Nuggets Bet Builder Tips: Fultz & Banchero Feature in 2.10 Wager

Sam Cox

Orlando Magic vs Denver Nuggets Bet Builder: Thursday, February 9th

The 22-23 Orlando Magic are 6.5-point underdogs when they host the 38-17 Denver Nuggets on Thursday night. Denver sits atop the Western Conference, led by MVP favourite Nikola Jokic, while Orlando has quietly improved, going 9-9 in 2023.

Jamal Murray is questionable for Denver after missing the win over the Timberwolves a couple of days ago. Zeke Nnaji is also doubtful for the road team.

Orlando is without backup big man Mo Bamba, while veteran wing Gary Harris is listed as day-to-day.

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Orlando Magic vs Denver Nuggets Preview
Orlando Magic vs Denver Nuggets Bet Builder

Orlando Magic vs Denver Nuggets Preview

Fri, Feb 10. 00:10 (UK time)

This is the second meeting between these teams in 2022-23, with Denver running out three-point winners when they clashed last month. Nikola Jokic dropped another triple-double, Aaron Gordon scored 25, and Markelle Fultz finished with 20 points in the Magic’s losing effort.

Fultz is a focus of this wager. The former first overall pick has been more consistent of late, and has re-established himself as a key cog in the Magic’s guard rotation. He has cruised past this alternate points line in each of the last five games.

Paolo Banchero, another first overall selection, has encountered the rookie wall, seeing a drop off in his efficiency. Orlando is still playing Banchero significant minutes, but this is a difficult matchup for him. So, instead of going for his points props, the rebounding milestone is a good place to look. Banchero has had over five boards in his last six games, plus Denver is only a middling rebounding team across their last 10.

Murray’s possible absence will put some bettors off the spread at 6.5. Denver has been demolishing opponents over the last couple of months, going 11-4 over their previous 15 games with the second-best net rating in the NBA, but Orlando has already proven it can compete even with the league’s elite. Only the Thunder have covered the spread more frequently than the Magic in 2022-23.

Orlando Magic vs Denver Nuggets Bet Builder

As a result, it makes sense to steer clear of the spread. The Nuggets’ numbers in 2023 make it very hard to bet against them, even on the road, and Orlando isn’t a team we can feel comfortable backing when the spread is up at 6.5.

Instead, the Nuggets moneyline is the way to go for this game. Denver has a dominant 21-7 record against teams below .500, and obliterated the Minnesota Timberwolves a couple of nights ago without Murray. Trade deadline drama should not unsettle them either, with no major moves expected today.

Jokic continues to post historic stat lines – look for the two-time MVP to put in another game-winning performance at Amway Center.