Dec. 18, 2025, 11:47 a.m. ET<\/p>\n
The Orlando Magic<\/a> (15-11) and Denver Nuggets<\/a> (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<\/a> NBA odds around the Magic vs. Nuggets odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions<\/a> for the best bets.<\/p>\n 2024-25 season series: Denver swept 2-0<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Watch the NBA on Fubo!<\/a>Magic at Nuggets odds<\/p>\n Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook<\/a>; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub<\/a> for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:47 a.m. ET.<\/p>\n 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<\/p>\n Magic<\/p>\n F Tristan da Silva (shoulder) questionableG Jalen Suggs (hip) outF Franz Wagner (ankle) outC Moritz Wagner (knee) out<\/p>\n Nuggets<\/p>\n G Christian Braun (ankle) outF Aaron Gordon (hamstring) outG Tim Hardaway Jr. (illness) questionableF Peyton Watson (contusion) questionable<\/p>\n For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report<\/a>.<\/p>\n Magic at Nuggets picks and predictionsPrediction<\/p>\n Nuggets 123, Magic 116<\/p>\n PASS.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n LEAN MAGIC +6.5 (-105).<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Look for Banchero to dominate here with Watson questionable and both Braun and Gordon out, helping keep this one close for the Magic.<\/p>\n This is a lean because the Nuggets still have the best player in the world and are leagues better offensively than Orlando.<\/p>\n BET OVER 236.5 (-115).<\/p>\n With Braun and Gordon out, Denver\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n The Over has hit in 9 of Denver\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com<\/a> and BetFTW<\/a>.<\/p>\n Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter\/X<\/a> and like us on Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n Access more NBA coverage:<\/p>\n HoopsHype<\/a> | Celtics Wire<\/a> | Nets Wire<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Rockets Wire<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Sixers Wire<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Thunder Wire<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Warriors Wire<\/a>\u00a0| LeBron Wire<\/a> |\u00a0Rookie Wire<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0List Wire<\/a><\/p>\n Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations. If you purchase through our links, the USA Today Network may earn a commission. Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.<\/p>\n Gambling involves risk. 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