Toronto Raptors at Orlando Magic NBA Picks & Predictions 12/28/2018

Friday, December 28, 2018

Amway Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Toronto Raptors travel to Amway Center to play the Orlando Magic on Friday, December 28, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Toronto as 8 point favorites.

The Raptors have a record of 26-10. They are 1st in the Atlantic Division. They have a point differential of 6.6 as they average 114.1 points per game while giving up 107.5 per contest. The Magic have an overall mark of 14-19. They currently are 3rd in the Southeast Division. They total 102.9 points per contest and give up 107.6, which is a point differential of -4.6.

Valuable Toronto Raptors Betting Trends

The Toronto Raptors are 16-19-0 against the spread

The Toronto Raptors are 20-15-0 against the over/under

Important Orlando Magic Betting Trends

The Orlando Magic are 16-14-2 against the spread

The Orlando Magic are 12-20-0 against the over/under

Key Toronto Raptors Injuries

12/26/18 PG Kyle Lowry Back is questionable Friday vs Orlando
12/14/18 C Jonas Valanciunas Thumb is out 4-6 weeks
11/06/18 SF Norman Powell Shoulder is out indefinitely

Key Orlando Magic Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Kyle Lowry comes into this contest averaging 14.4 points per game while playing 34.1 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 4.5 rebounds per game and dishes out 9.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 85%. Kawhi Leonard averages 26.9 points per game in 35.0 minutes per contest this season. He averages 3.1 assists per contest and 8.4 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 50% for the year while his free throw percentage is 86%.

Player Spotlight

Aaron Gordon averages 15.3 points per game while playing 33.0 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 7.5 rebounds per game and has 3.1 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is at 68%. Nikola Vucevic averages 20.2 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 31.2 minutes per contest. He also averages 11.8 rebounds per contest and 3.6 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 52% and his free throw percentage is 82%.

Useful Team Statistics

Toronto averages 114.1 points per contest this season, which ranks them 7th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 6.6 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a team, which has them ranked 2nd. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 22nd in the league. They average 45.3 rebounds per game and 24.3 assists per game, which ranks them 14th and 16th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 22nd with 13.5 per game. The Raptors allow 107.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 9th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 7th and 6th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 44.2 rebounds a game which ranks 11th and they give up 24.3 assists per contest, which puts them in 19th place in the league. They force 14.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 19th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Orlando is 27th in the league with 102.9 points per game this year. They are 27th in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is -4.6. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 14th in the NBA. They are 25th in the league in rebounding with 42.3 boards per game, and 13th in assists per contest with 24.5. The Magic are 24th in turnovers per game with 13.2. The Magic surrender 107.6 points per contest, which ranks them 10th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 47% shooting percentage and a 38% average from 3-point range, ranking them 20th and 28th in those defensive statistics. They rank 11th with 23.5 assists allowed per contest and 21st with 45.8 rebounds surrendered per game. The Magic were 12th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.7 per game last season.

Advanced Statistics

The Raptors are 2nd in the league in defensive rating with 107.6, and their offensive rating of 114.1 is ranked 9th. They are 17th in the NBA in pace with 99.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 3rd. As a unit they are 4th in the league in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shot attempts, ranking 9th in the NBA. Toronto is 21st in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.7 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 25th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Orlando is 22nd in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 11th in the league. The Magic are 27th in the NBA in offensive rating with 105.5, and their defensive rating of 110.3 is ranked 14th. In terms of pace they are 26th in the league with 97 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 25th. As a team they are 25th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 14th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Raptors/Magic NBA game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take Toronto -8

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