The Orlando Magic (16-12) and Golden State Warriors (14-15) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 10:00 p.m. ET from the Chase Center in San Francisco, California. The game will broadcast live on NBCS-BA.
The Warriors are 5.5-point favorites over the Magic on the spread (Warriors -5.5), with the over/under set at 227.5 total points. Golden State is a -210 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Orlando is +175 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Magic vs. Warriors predictions and NBA picks for Monday, December 22.
Magic vs Warriors Prediction, Picks
- Magic vs Warriors pick: Wendell Carter Jr. Over 20.5 Points + Rebounds (-115)
My Magic vs Warriors best bet is on Wendell Carter Jr. over 20.5 points & rebounds, with the best price currently available at bet365. But as always, make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Magic vs Warriors Odds
| Magic Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+5.5 -105 | 227.5 -115o / -105u | +170 |
| Warriors Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-5.5 -115 | 227.5 -115o / -105u | -210 |
Magic vs Warriors NBA Preview
We talked about the Cavaliers spiraling extensively on the Buckets podcast this week, but really, the Warriors aren’t terribly far behind.
This is a team that is still looking for answers and, at 14-15, seems Play-In bound barring a mid-season run.
Now, they have plenty of time, but like Cleveland, it feels like their season — relative to what they hope to gain from it, i.e. championship expectations — is hanging on by a thread.
To be fair, Golden State came out of the gate with five back-to-backs this year before anyone else had more than three, and even now, they’ve played 17 road games and just 12 at home. Only Portland and Atlanta have played as many road games.
The Warriors, starting tonight, will play 12 of their next 16 at home.
The Magic are 2-2 since Franz Wagner went down, but their losses were against the Knicks in Las Vegas and at Denver.
They’ll play seven of their next 10 on the road, starting tonight, which is the first of two back-to-backs this week alone.
Al Horford (sciatica) and Seth Curry (thigh) are both out for the Warriors.
Franz (ankle sprain) and his brother Mo Wagner (ACL recovery) are both out for Orlando. Jalen Suggs (hip) is doubtful to play. Tristan Da Silva (shoulder) is questionable.
Magic vs Warriors Prediction, Betting Analysis
Wendell Carter Jr. feasted in the last game these two played. We’re going back.
Carter Jr. has been excellent for the Magic this year. He’s really helped stabilize the Magic frontcourt amid their injuries with his two-way play and has been one of the unsung heroes of Orlando’s turnaround from their perilous 1-4 start to a 15-8 record since.
Carter Jr. has gone over 20.5 points + rebounds in three of his last four games and posted 17 points and 12 rebounds — one of his four double-doubles this season — when Orlando beat Golden State at home, 121-113, on November 18.
Pick: Wendell Carter Jr. Over 20.5 Points + Rebounds (-115)
Spread
I'm not betting either side of the spread in this game.
Moneyline
No play on the moneyline.
Over/Under
My Warriors vs Magic betting prediction is on Wendell Carter Jr. Over 20.5 Points + Rebounds.
