Orlando Magic vs. Denver Nuggets - 12/18/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Orlando Magic vs Denver Nuggets

Date: Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Location: Pepsi Center in Denver, CO

TV: Altitude

Odds/Point Spread: Denver -8

Total/Over-Under: 204

Jonathan Isaac and the Orlando Magic (12-14, 2nd in the Southeast Division) travel to Pepsi Center on Wednesday where they'll meet the Denver Nuggets (17-8, 1st in the Northwest Division). The odds on this game have Denver as 8 point favorites. The over/under opens at 204.

The Magic are covering 44.0% of the time, having gone 11-14-1 ATS. Denver is covering 47.8% of the time, going 11-12-2 against the spread.

Key Orlando Magic Injuries

12/1/2019 Al-Farouq Aminu PF Knee Expected to be out until at least Feb 1

Key Denver Nuggets Injuries

12/15/2019 Paul Millsap PF Quadriceps Game Time Decision

Player Spotlight

Jonathan Isaac comes into this contest averaging 12.9 points per game while playing 30.9 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 7.3 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 46% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 82%. Evan Fournier averages 20.0 points per game in 30.5 minutes per contest this season. He averages 3.2 assists per contest and 2.8 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 48% for the year while his free throw percentage is 84%.

Player Spotlight

Jamal Murray averages 16.9 points per game while playing 31.5 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 4.4 rebounds per game and has 4.6 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is at 88%. Nikola Jokic averages 17.0 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 31.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 10.2 rebounds per contest and 6.5 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is 78%.

Useful Team Statistics

Orlando averages 103.5 points per contest this season, which ranks them 29th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -0.8 and their shooting percentage is 43% as a team, which has them ranked 27th. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 26th in the league. They average 44.8 rebounds per game and 22.7 assists per game, which ranks them 17th and 23rd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 28th with 13.5 per game. The Magic allow 104.3 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 6th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 17th and 19th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 44.7 rebounds a game which ranks 10th and they give up 23.7 assists per contest, which puts them in 13th place in the league. They force 14.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 8th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Denver is 23rd in the league with 106.5 points per game this year. They are 20th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 4.8. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 18th in the NBA. They are 11th in the league in rebounding with 46.0 boards per game, and 5th in assists per contest with 26.3. The Nuggets are 26th in turnovers per game with 13.7. The Nuggets surrender 101.7 points per contest, which ranks them 1st in the NBA. Their defense allows a 44% shooting percentage and a 30% average from 3-point range, ranking them 8th and 1st in those defensive statistics. They rank 11th with 23.6 assists allowed per contest and 9th with 44.4 rebounds surrendered per game. The Nuggets are 11th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.4 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Magic are 24th in the NBA in offensive rating with 106.1, and their defensive rating of 106.9 is ranked 12th. In terms of pace they are 28th in the league with 97.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 49% is 28th. As a team they are 28th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 23rd in the league. Orlando is 24th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 15th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Denver is 25th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 27th in the league. The Nuggets are 19th in the NBA in offensive rating with 108, and their defensive rating of 103.1 is ranked 3rd. In terms of pace they are 29th in the league with 97.4 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 34% of their shots, ranking 27th in the league.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Denver +8

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