NBA Picks and Betting Tips: Orlando Magic vs Phoenix Suns Prediction, 19th November

NLB Staff

18.11.2024 01:23

Magic vs Suns Prediction

Seeing that Orlando has been a very formidable unit without their best player Paolo Banchero, they go up against a Suns squad that continues dominating and rising up the Western Conference standings. With the Magic coming off a 12-point victory against the Philadelphia 76ers, this Suns unit hopes to recover from some tough losses like a 23-point one vs Phoenix and a 16-point loss to Oklahoma City. This game will occur on November 19th at 7:30 A.M IST in Footprint Center. Below are our vital injuries, key player props, public trends, and previous head-to-head matchups to create a prediction for this game.

Magic vs Suns Key Betting Tips & Predictions

1. Orlando Magic vs Phoenix Suns Moneyline Pick

As the Suns are favored at -168 on the moneyline this should definitely be taken. Seeing that their backcourt of Tyus Jones and Devin Booker should completely outscore the likes of KCP plus Jalen Suggs, this will cause a lot more pressure on Franz Wagner. Even though Wagner has the ability to score and finish over someone like Royce O’Neale, Ryan Dunn will control the other wing for Phoenix over Tristan Da Silva. Having Nurkic in the middle for a rebounding advantage, the Suns should win their -168 moneyline and 5th in their last 7 matchups.

2. Orlando Magic vs Phoenix Suns Point Spread Pick

Seeing that the Suns have a -3.5 spread in this matchup, they should really handle the Magic team both ways down the floor. Led by Tyus Jones as one of the better point guards that can really facilitate the offense, he has shown great passing ability that not many in the league could guard. As he goes up against a similar type of player in Jalen Suggs that uses great speed as an asset to play defense and score too, the one major difference is Jones has pin-point accuracy which forces him into less turnover than Suggs. Seeing the shooting guard postion is held down by Devin Booker, his scoring prowess should continue as one of the most impossible shooters to stop. Having Kentavious Caldwell-Pope on him as an elite defender won’t make a difference because he could use elite dribbling skills to finish inside or out. The scariest part of his game being that he has become an even better defender, the Magic’s Kentavious Caldwell-Pope might have a tough time finding his three-point shooting rythmn. As the Magic will win the small forward battle in this game due to Franz Wagner being a great scorer over Royce O’Neale, he may not win all the other statistical battles but can keep this contest close with all-around shooting. Being someone that has an ability to drive in as well, he needs to show up because Tristan Da Silva and Mortiz Wagner will be at a disadvantage in the middle. Facing the likes of Ryan Dunn’s growing ability as a mid-range scorer plus Nurkic’s strength, the Suns should win these two matchups making the -3.5 spread a perfect pick.

3. Orlando Magic vs Phoenix Suns Over/Under Pick (Total Points)

Seeing that the over/under during this matchup is at 228.5 points, it should be a game that has a lot of vital offensive pieces involved. With Orlando having a solid scoring point guard creating shots and a duo with a good 3-point shooting guard, they should rely on their small forward to continue dominating on offense. As one of the best, young all-around scorers, his ability to knock down shots from anywhere along with his brother’s to finish inside gives the Magic great length at the five. Having solid role players that can score off the bench, they play a Suns squad that will once again be led by their elite shooting guard. In addition to having one of the most aggressive point guards in the league, they have a center that can really put in layups underneath. On a roster that has various players in their 2nd rotation with the ability to score as well, this line should definitely go over as their matchup two times ago combined for 219 points.

Orlando Magic vs Phoenix Suns Top Player Props

Franz Wagner over 24.5 points at 1.83: Even though Franz Wagner has the tough task off going against Royce O’Neale, he will continue being the main scorer for this Magic side. As someone who can really knock down great looks from threes and finish inside, he should use the pick-and-roll game with his brother Mortiz Wagner as a massive advantage. As Wagner puts up about 22.2 points a night, he should definitely be able to score a lot more than that in this game.

Jusuf Nurkic over 9.5 points at 1.85: As Jusuf Nurkic gets to go against a weaker Mortiz Wagner in the middle, he should use his size and strength to go up with easier layups. Someone who is also able to score from the mid-range and add a lot of shots of screens with small-fowards, Nurkic should have a solid offensive night. Being someone who averages 8.8 points a night, he should definitely hit the over in this game.

Orlando Magic vs Phoenix Suns Injury News & Impact

Orlando Magic Injuries: As the Magic still have Paolo Banchero out due to his right-torn oblique, this squad will have to use a very young Tristan Da Silva to replace him. Even though Johnathon Isaac is a bigger option, Tristan Da Silva’s ability to stay healthy is a key reason he is starting. But, compared to Banchero, Da Silva is not as much of a high-volume scorer and has

shown some issues from shooting mid-range shots which was Banchero’s bread and butter.

Phoenix Suns Injuries: Seeing that Kevin Durant is out due to a left calf strain, the Suns lose their main scorer who was averaging 27.6 points a night. With Ryan Dunn, 7.4 points, replacing him, it could be a huge downgrade because Dunn can’t create many shots off the dribble. Meanwhile, with Bradley Beal likely out due to a calf strain issue as well, Phoenix will miss his two-way ability that included 17.8 points per night and will have to rely on a less efficient scorer in Royce O’Neale. As Grayson Allen ended up on the injury report too, he should be able to play during this game as a big part of the team’s three-point shooting.

Magic vs Suns Head-to-Head Trends

As this matchup has shown to be won by an alternative team every time they go head-to-head, the Suns or Magic could win this match as a toss-up. Seeing that Orlando won the last game, 2 of the 3 matchups between these teams ended within 5 points. As the Suns are 2-1 against the spread in their previous three games and 4-2 over 6, they should have a little bit of an edge to expand their record in this head-to-head.

Betting Insights & Public Trends

Looking at this current matchup, the Phoenix Suns are favored by 71.4% of bettors to beat the Orlando Magic.

Magic vs Suns Final Prediction

Seeing that the Magic once again have the missing piece in Paolo Banchero missing, the veteran experience of this Suns roster will play a massive role. As the Suns have a great two-way team under coach Mike Budenholzer they should have an advantage throughout this game. With Tyus Jones being their facilitator on offense who can create off the dribble and really help others find space, his greatness both ways has helped this Suns roster have someone who can force a lot of turnovers. Knowing that he keeps creating steals for this team and has amazing pace, he plays a very similar role to the Magic’s Jalen Suggs. Although Suggs has been an improved offensive player, Jones intelligence to guard ball-handler like the Magic point guard will play a very important factor in this matchup. In addition, Tyus Jones has the ability to hit other shooters in their spots, while Jalen Suggs hasn’t proved to be as efficient of a passer helping Jones create extra chances for Phoenix through steals. With the Suns having one of the best all-around scorers in Devin Booker at shooting guard for them, his ability to create from three or mid-range has been a vital part of this team. Even though Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will be on him as the Magic’s most elite defender, Booker’s ability to dribble and create separation is unmatched. In a game where he can use his own improved defense to slow down KCP’s three-point shooting abilites, the Suns shooting guard could end up winning on both ends of the floor in this matchup.

As Franz Wagner continues to be a vital piece for the Magic, he may lose the rebounding battle against Royce O’Neale, but still remains Orlando’s main hope to see where they finish in this game. Seeing that he has great size and can spot-up shoot over O’Neale, his ability to get inside or knock down threes has made a elite player very quietly. Someone who is not known as a two-way player, but has really started playing solid defense, he can limit O’Neale’s scoring by a bit as well. With the Magic’s advantage in this going as far as that though, Ryan Dunn should provide way more efficiency for Phoenix at power forward scoring-wise than Tristan Da Silva does for Orlando. Seeing that Da Silva is a young rookie that is struggling to find his footing, Dunn’s ability to create fade-away’s in the mid area is something the Magic power forward won’t be able to handle. With Jusuf Nurkic being a much stronger center than Mortiz Wagner, the Suns look like the stronger overall squad and should win this game unless pieces like Cole Anthony or Gary Harris really show up at an elite level.

Our pick: The Phoenix Suns should win this game and cover their -3.5 spread, while the score goes over 228.5 points.