The Philadelphia 76ers aim to keep it rolling on Friday night at the Kia Center. Joel Embiid and the 76ers visit the Orlando Magic for an Eastern Conference matchup, and the 76ers have won three straight games. The Magic are 22-19 overall and 13-5 at home this season, while the Sixers are 26-13 overall and 10-7 on the road. Franz Wagner (ankle) and Gary Harris (calf) are out for the Magic, while De’Anthony Melton (back) is out for the 76ers.
For this game, SportsLine consensus lists the Sixers as 5-point favorites, and tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. The total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, or the over/under, is 222.5 in the latest 76ers vs. Magic odds. Before making any Magic vs. 76ers picks, you need to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine’s advanced computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model enters Week 13 of the 2023-24 NBA season on a sizzling 42-23 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning nearly $2,000. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Sixers vs. Magic and just locked in its picks and NBA predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Now, here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Magic vs. Sixers:
76ers vs. Magic spread: 76ers -5
76ers vs. Magic over/under: 222.5 points
76ers vs. Magic money line: 76ers -210, Magic +173
PHI: The 76ers are 10-7 against the spread in road games
ORL: The Magic are 12-5 against the spread in home games
76ers vs. Magic picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the 76ers can cover
Philadelphia is a dynamic offensive team, headlined by Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, but the 76ers also have strong defensive bonafides. The 76ers are 23-6 with Embiid in the lineup this season, and he is the primary rim protector for a team that ranks in the top five of the NBA in defensive rating (111.5). Philadelphia is No. 1 in the league in 3-point accuracy allowed (33.8%) and opponents are shooting only 46.3% from the field against the Sixers. Philadelphia is also leading the NBA with 9.1 steals per game, helping the 76ers to produce 14.8 turnovers per game.
The 76ers can also take advantage of an Orlando offense with clear weaknesses. The Magic are dead-last in the NBA in 3-point accuracy (34.0%) on offense, and Orlando is in the bottom five of the league in free throw accuracy (75.3%) and assists (24.6 per game). From there, Embiid is leading the league in scoring (35.1 points per game), and the 76ers are scoring more than 1.19 points per possession to rank in the top five of the league. Philadelphia is also in the top three in free throw creation (27.2 attempts per game), free throw accuracy (83.7%), and turnover rate (12.4%). See which team to pick here.
Why the Magic can cover
Orlando is 13-5 at home this season, out-scoring opponents by 7.3 points per 100 possessions at Kia Center. That provides a strong baseline for the Magic, and Orlando has a key piece in Paolo Banchero. The talented forward is averaging 22.9 points and 7.0 rebounds per game this season, including 27.5 points and 7.6 rebounds per game in the last 11 contests. Orlando is in the top 10 of the NBA in free throw creation, offensive rebound rate, second-chance points and points in the paint on offense. The Magic also remain stout on defense.
The Magic are allowing only 111.1 points per 100 possessions this season, ranking in the top three of the NBA in overall defensive efficiency. Orlando is in the top five of the league in defensive rebound rate (72.7%) and second-chance points allowed (12.9 per game), utilizing size and athleticism with effectiveness. The Magic also create havoc on a consistent basis, generating 8.3 steals per game and creating 15.3 turnovers per contest. With opponents also shooting only 35.3% from 3-point range against Orlando, the Magic are difficult to score against in myriad ways. See which team to pick here.
How to make Magic vs. 76ers picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning Over on the total, projecting 226 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread is the better value. You can only see the model’s picks at SportsLine.