Nuggets vs. Magic prediction, odds, selection, spread

Two of the best teams in the NBA collided on Sunday, when Denver Nuggets (25-16) travel to face the Orlando Magic (23-20). It’s time to continue our NBA odds series with Nuggets-Magic prediction and pick.

While both teams have struggled with injuries, the Nuggets have been healthier lately. Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray recently returned to the lineup, leading to a 5-1 run over the last six games. Denver is coming off a 133-113 win against the Miami Heat on Friday.

The Magic have been worse for wear and continue to deal with key absences. However, they recently welcomed the return of Paolo Banchero. They still enter the matchup on a two-game skid, including a 121-94 loss to the Boston Celtics on Friday night.

Here is Nuggets-Magic NBA oddscourtesy of FanDuel.

NBA odds: Nuggets-Magic odds

Denver Nuggets: -7.5 (-114)

Moneilines: -310

Orlando Magic: +7.5 (-106)

Moneilines: +250

More: 219 (-110)

Under: 219 (-110)

How to watch Nuggets vs. Magic

Time: 6:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM PT

TV: Altitude Sports and Fanduel Sports Network Florida

*Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV (Get Access | Save $30)*

Why the Nuggets could cover the spread/win

Neither team is 100 percent healthy for this game, but the Nuggets have more availability on their side. Orlando played without Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs, Jett Howard and Gary Harris in the last game with Buncher on a minutes restriction. That limited Jamal Mosley’s backcourt rotation to Cole Anthony, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Anthony Black and Trevelyn Quinn.

The Nuggets usually get beat in the backcourt. Denver allows opposing guards 67.9 points per game, which ranks sixth in the league. The Nuggets also rank in the bottom 10 in opposing offense per game, assists per game and points in the paint. Without Suggs, the Magic struggled to get to those areas against the Celtics.

Orlando will especially miss Goga Bitadze if he misses another game. The Georgian was the anchor of the team’s defense, ranking eighth in the league in blocks per game. Without him, Magic will have their hands full with Jokic in the middle. Denver has covered the spread in five of its last six games.

Why would magic cover the spread/win

Even before the injuries to Suggs, Wagner and Buncher, the Magic were already running at the slowest pace in the league. Since the injuries to their star trio, Mosley has honed even more defensively.

While the Nuggets run at the fifth-fastest pace, they can be inclined to play at their opponent’s pace. No team is better at slowing down the game and forcing teams to play in the half court than Orlando. Denver leads the league in rushing points per game with 19.1, but the Magic turned the ball over just eight times against the Celtics. They allow just 13.2 rushing points per game, fifth in the league.

As a top five defensive team, the Magic allow the second fewest points per game and the fewest assists per game. Denver’s attack on Jokic relies on both of these aspects. In games where neither team scores 120 points, the Nuggets are just 4-8.

Final Nuggets-Magic Prediction & Pick

Despite similar records, these two teams are heading in opposite directions. The Magic are just treading water without much of their offensive production, while the Nuggets are finally getting healthy.

Denver is just 20-20-1 ATS on the year, but has been much better of late. They’ve covered in nine of their last 12 games, a ridiculous 75 percent hitting rate. Orlando drops 27 points against a similarly aggressive Boston defense, a game in which they clearly had no answers given the current roster.

Without Wagner and Suggs, the Magic put virtually the entire burden of their offense on Buncher’s shoulders. Banchero has been impressive since returning, but most of his points have either been at the charity stripe or from behind the arc. Now he must face the athleticism and physicality of Gordon, who he has historically struggled against. Gordon is still dealing with a minutes limit, but so is Banchero.

Final Nuggets-Magic Prediction & Pick: Nuggets -7.5 (-114)