Orlando Magic vs. Houston Rockets Preview
Where: Toyota Center – Houston, TX
When: Tuesday, February 7, 2017, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Orlando Magic (+11.5) at Houston Rockets (-11.5); total: 223.0 – view all NBA lines
TV Broadcast: NBA TV
Writer’s Pick: Orlando Magic (+11.5)
NBA News & Predictions
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Betting on the Orlando Magic (20-33)
The Orlando Magic’s disappointing 2017 continues. They suffered a big 113-86 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday, which dropped their record this year to 5-13. That loss to the Hawks came on the second night of a back-to-back, though. The Magic beat the struggling Toronto Raptors, 102-94, in the first leg of that b2b.
Serge Ibaka had 20 points and 12 rebounds against the Raptors, and was one of four Magic players with 18 or more points. Evan Fournier, who was playing his third game back from an Achilles injury, also had a 20-10 double-double, while Nikola Vucevic and C.J. Watson each had 18. All four of those players failed to top double-digits against the Hawks, though, as the Magic shot just 34 percent as a team.
That inconsistency on offense has plagued the Magic all season, which is why they’re second-from-bottom in the NBA in offensive efficiency.
Orlando’s offense also struggled in their first meeting with the Rockets this season. They shot just 42 percent in a 100-93 defeat. D.J. Augustin had 19 points, while Aaron Gordon added 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists.
The Magic have been very poor away from home recently. They’re 2-8 in their last 10 road games, but are 5-5 against the spread.
Betting on the Houston Rockets (37-17)
The Houston Rockets have been a roller-coaster ride over the past few weeks. Since going 31-9, they’ve gone just 6-8 in their last 14 games, and have not won back-to-back games during that span. After three days off, they’ll get their chance to win consecutive games tonight against the Magic as they came away with a 121-117 win over the Chicago Bulls on Friday.
James Harden had himself a game with 42 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists against the Bulls. That came on the heels of a 41-8-8 line the night before against the Hawks. Meanwhile, Eric Gordon broke out of a shooting slump from 3-point range as he went for 21 points (5-10 3-PFG) off the bench.
Harden and Gordon both struggled with their shot in their first meeting against Orlando. They combined to shoot just 12-of-35 from the field and 3-of-24 from beyond the arc. But the Rockets were still able to pull out the win with the help of Ryan Anderson and Patrick Beverley, who had 19 and 17 points, respectively.
The Rockets have been inconsistent at home, alternating wins and losses in their last six games. However, they are 4-0 in their last four times hosting the Magic.
Writer’s Prediction
The Rockets have another rocky performance, which allows the Magic to cover (+11.5).
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