Orlando Magic vs. Portland Blazers - 12/20/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Orlando Magic vs Portland Trail Blazers

Date: Friday, December 20, 2019

Location: Moda Center in Portland, OR

TV: NBC Sports Northwest

Odds/Point Spread: Portland -5.5

Total/Over-Under: 218

Evan Fournier and the Orlando Magic (12-14, 2nd in the Southeast Division) travel to Moda Center on Friday where they'll meet the Portland Trail Blazers (11-16, 4th in the Northwest Division). The line on this matchup has Portland as 5.5 point favorites. The total opens at 218.

The Magic are covering the spread 42.3% of the time, having gone 11-15-1 ATS. Portland is covering the spread 42.3% of the time, going 11-15-1 against the spread.

Key Orlando Magic Injuries

12/18/2019 Jonathan Isaac PF Hamstring Game Time Decision
12/1/2019 Al-Farouq Aminu PF Knee Expected to be out until at least Feb 1

Key Portland Trail Blazers Injuries

12/18/2019 Mario Hezonja SF Back Expected to be out until at least Dec 20
12/9/2019 Jusuf Nurkic C Lower Leg Expected to be out until at least Feb 15
12/7/2019 Rodney Hood SG Achilles Out for the season
11/12/2019 Zach Collins PF Shoulder Expected to be out until at least Mar 15

Player Spotlight

Evan Fournier comes into this game averaging 19.8 points per contest while playing 30.7 minutes per night this year. He grabs 2.7 rebounds per contest and distributes 3.3 assists per game. His FG percentage is 48% while his free throw percentage is 83%. Jonathan Isaac averages 12.4 points per contest in 30.4 minutes per game. He averages 1.3 assists per game and 7.1 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 46% for the season while his free throw percentage is 81%.

Player Spotlight

CJ McCollum scores 22.0 points per contest while playing 36.4 minutes per game. He hauls in 4.5 rebounds per contest and has 3.7 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is at 82%. Damian Lillard averages 26.5 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 36.7 minutes per game. He also brings in 4.3 rebounds per game and has 7.6 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 90%.

Useful Team Statistics

Orlando averages 103.5 points per contest, which is 29th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -1.3 and their shooting percentage is 43% as a unit, which has them ranked 27th. From 3-point territory they shoot 34%, which is good for 27th in the NBA. They average 44.3 boards per contest and 22.8 assists per game, which ranks them 20th and 23rd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 29th with 13.1 per game. The Magic allow 104.8 points per contest, which is 6th in the NBA. They also surrender a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 16th and 22nd in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 45.5 rebounds a game which ranks 13th, and they allow 23.9 assists per game which puts them in 15th place in the league. They force 14.5 turnovers per game which ranks them 11th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Portland is 9th in the NBA with 112.6 points per contest this season. They are 15th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is -1.46. They shoot 36% from beyond the arc, which is good for 10th in the league. They are 7th in the NBA in rebounding with 46.5 boards per contest and 30th in assists per game with 20.2. The Blazers are 27th in turnovers per contest with 13.5. The Blazers give up 114.0 points per game, which ranks them 22nd in the league. Their defense surrenders a 44% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 10th and 13th in those defensive statistics. They rank 10th with 23.3 dimes allowed per game and 29th with 48.3 boards surrendered per contest. The Blazers are 5th in the league in forcing turnovers with 13.4 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Magic are 25th in the league in defensive rating with 107.4, and their offensive rating of 106 is ranked 12th. They are 28th in the NBA in pace with 97.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 49% is 28th. As a unit they are 28th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 21st in the NBA. Orlando is 28th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.3 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 14th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Portland is 29th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 21st in the league. The Blazers are 9th in the NBA in offensive rating with 110.1, and their defensive rating of 111.5 is ranked 20th. In terms of pace they are 11th in the league with 101.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 20th. As a team they are 16th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shots, ranking 19th in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Orlando +5.5

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