Magic vs. Mavericks: 3 Best Bets
The Orlando Magic is looking to win back-to-back games after dispatching the Phoenix Suns. Unfortunately, the Magic will have to travel to Texas to take on the Dallas Mavericks, while Luka Doncic has one of the most impressive stints of his young career.
The Magic beat Phoenix, and the Mavs are coming off a loss to the Kings, but Doncic has averaged 40.2 points over his last five games, highlighted by a career-high 73 points in Atlanta.
Franz Wagner (22) of the Orlando Magic and Luka Doncic (77) of the Dallas Mavericks.
USA Today Sports
Orlando lost the only previous matchup this season with Dallas, 117-102 back in November. Since then, both teams have been looking at playoff berths, and both teams are trying to build success on the backs of young players like Doncic, Paolo Banchero, and Franz Wagner.
Entering the game, Orlando will be without Gary Harris and the Mavericks won’t play Kyrie Irving. Derrick Jones Jr., Dante Exum, and Dwight Powell are questionable, while Maxi Kleber is probable for the Mavs.
As the Magic looks to stop Doncic and Dallas, keep it posted here for our three best bets, powered by SI Sportsbook.
The Lines
Point spread: Mavericks -4.5 (-110)/Magic +4.5 (-118)
Money line: Mavericks (-188)/Magic (+145)
Over/under: 227.5
Our picks
Safe pick: Franz Wagner OVER 19.5 points (-111)
Ever since he returned from injury, Wagner has been averaging 16.3 points. Dallas allows the ninth-most points in the paint this season, and with Powell and Kleber not guaranteed for tonight, Dereck Livley II will have to hold down the paint. Wagner has taken 352 shots in the paint this season, so with a depleted Dallas frontcourt, he should be able to capitalize.
Opponent pick: Luka Doncic UNDER 37.5 points (-125)
Doncic has been a man on fire recently, but it’s come at a cost. In the last two games, he played over 40 minutes in each one, and it clearly took a toll. In his most recent game–a loss to the Kings–he shot only one-of-nine from three and 34 percent from the floor, obviously exhausted. Orlando’s physical playstyle and stifling backcourt defense should be too much for him to handle, and a solid 35-point effort doesn’t cover this line.
Team pick: Magic to win (+145)
Dallas has lost four of the last five and ground Doncic into the ground in order to eke out a win against the Hawks. Orlando is 3-2 over their last five, and the resurgence of Jonathan Isaac in recent contests suggests that the Magic’s depth has improved, and they are gunning to avoid the Play-In Tournament and make the playoffs properly. Expect Orlando to come out of the gate firing, and overwhelm the Mavericks early.
