Orlando Magic vs Houston Rockets Predictions, NBA Picks Tonight 3/8/2020

Game: Orlando Magic vs Houston Rockets

Date: Sunday, March 8, 2020

Location: Toyota Center in Houston, TX

TV: AT&T Sportsnet - Southwest

Odds/Point Spread: Houston -9.5

Total/Over-Under: 233

Toyota Center is the venue where James Harden and the Houston Rockets (39-22, 1st in the Southwest Division) will play the Orlando Magic (28-35, 2nd in the Southeast Division) on Sunday. Houston opens this game as 9.5 point favorites. The over/under has been set at 233.

The Magic cover the spread 47.5% of the time, having gone 29-32-2 ATS. Houston is covering 47.5% of the time, going 29-32-0 against the spread.

Key Orlando Magic Injuries

03/06/20 SG Evan Fournier Elbow is out indefinitely
01/10/20 SF Al-Farouq Aminu Knee is out for season
01/02/20 PF Jonathan Isaac Knee is out indefinitely

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

03/06/20 SG Eric Gordon Knee is downgraded to out Saturday vs Charlotte
03/06/20 PG Russell Westbrook Rest is out Saturday vs Charlotte

Player Spotlight

Nikola Vucevic comes into this contest averaging 19.6 points per game while playing 32.6 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 10.9 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.7 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 47% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 78%. Aaron Gordon averages 14.4 points per game in 33.0 minutes per contest this season. He averages 3.6 assists per contest and 7.6 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 43% for the year while his free throw percentage is 67%.

Player Spotlight

James Harden averages 34.6 points per game while playing 36.7 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 6.3 rebounds per game and has 7.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is at 87%. Russell Westbrook averages 27.5 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 36.0 minutes per contest. He also averages 8.1 rebounds per contest and 7.0 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is 78%.

Useful Team Statistics

Orlando averages 105.8 points per contest this season, which ranks them 28th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -1.4 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 27th. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 26th in the league. They average 44.5 rebounds per game and 23.9 assists per game, which ranks them 18th and 19th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 29th with 12.5 per game. The Magic allow 107.2 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 6th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 17th and 24th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.3 rebounds a game which ranks 16th and they give up 24.5 assists per contest, which puts them in 15th place in the league. They force 14.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 19th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston is 2nd in the league with 118.7 points per game this year. They are 22nd in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 4.3. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 22nd in the NBA. They are 13th in the league in rebounding with 45.3 boards per game, and 29th in assists per contest with 21.4. The Rockets are 17th in turnovers per game with 14.5. The Rockets surrender 114.3 points per contest, which ranks them 22nd in the NBA. Their defense allows a 46% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 15th and 6th in those defensive statistics. They rank 24th with 25.4 assists allowed per contest and 28th with 47.4 rebounds surrendered per game. The Rockets are 25th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.8 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Magic are 24th in the league in defensive rating with 109, and their offensive rating of 107.6 is ranked 9th. They are 27th in the NBA in pace with 98.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 27th. As a unit they are 27th in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shot attempts, ranking 19th in the NBA. Orlando is 29th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.4 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 13th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Houston is 21st in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.4 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 15th in the NBA. The Rockets are 2nd in the league in defensive rating with 109.9, and their offensive rating of 114 is ranked 15th. They are 3rd in the NBA in pace with 103.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 6th. As a unit they are 5th in the league in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 49% of their shot attempts, ranking 1st in the NBA.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Houston -9.5

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