Dec. 18, 2025, 11:47 a.m. ET

The Orlando Magic (15-11) and Denver Nuggets (19-6) meet Thursday. Tip-off from Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, is set for 9 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Magic vs. Nuggets odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.

2024-25 season series: Denver swept 2-0

Orlando lost 132-120 to the New York Knicks Saturday, failing to cover as a 4-point home underdog as the Over (225) cashed. G Jalen Suggs and F Paolo Banchero combined for 51 points, while C Karl-Anthony Towns and G Jalen Brunson combined for 69 on the other side. The Magic gave up 70 points in the second half.

Denver won 128-125 in overtime over the Houston Rockets Monday, covering as a 1-point home underdog as the Over (237.5) hit. C Nikola Jokic finished with a 39-point triple-double, and G Jamal Murray added 35 points. The Nuggets forced 16 turnovers and hit 27 free throws, making up for allowing 56 points in the paint.

Watch the NBA on Fubo!Magic at Nuggets odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:47 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Magic +225 (bet $100 to win $225) | Nuggets -285 (bet $285 to win $100)Against the spread (ATS): Magic +6.5 (-105) | Nuggets +6.5 (-115)Over/Under (O/U): 236.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)Magic at Nuggets key injuries

Magic

F Tristan da Silva (shoulder) questionableG Jalen Suggs (hip) outF Franz Wagner (ankle) outC Moritz Wagner (knee) out

Nuggets

G Christian Braun (ankle) outF Aaron Gordon (hamstring) outG Tim Hardaway Jr. (illness) questionableF Peyton Watson (contusion) questionable

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

Magic at Nuggets picks and predictionsPrediction

Nuggets 123, Magic 116

PASS.

The Nuggets are the much better team and should easily win as -285 favorites, but they are not worth the risk of betting on at such heavy odds. Pass here and bet on the spread and/or total instead.

LEAN MAGIC +6.5 (-105).

Orlando is 4-1 ATS in its last 7 matchups against the Nuggets in Denver, sitting at 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games against the Nuggets overall. The Magic are also 2-1 ATS in their last 3 road games.

Look for Banchero to dominate here with Watson questionable and both Braun and Gordon out, helping keep this one close for the Magic.

This is a lean because the Nuggets still have the best player in the world and are leagues better offensively than Orlando.

BET OVER 236.5 (-115).

With Braun and Gordon out, Denver’s defense has fallen from a top-5 unit to nearly 20th. On the other side, Orlando has a top-10 defense, but it will be without its leader, Suggs, making this a very likely game for Murray to pop off.

The Over has hit in 9 of Denver’s last 10 games and is 15-10 for the Nuggets this season. The Over is also 6-4 in the last 10 matchups between these teams.

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