Magic vs Suns Pick, Preview & Betting Odds For Thursday, March 16th

Check out our free Magic vs Suns pick and preview for this NBA game in Phoenix. See who we like to win and cover the spread in this NBA matchup.

Magic vs Suns NBA Pick & Preview

Sport: NBA
Teams: Orlando Magic at Phoenix Suns
Where: Phoenix at Footprint Center
Date: Thursday, March 16th
Betting Odds PHO -7.5, ORL +237 | PHO -291 O/U 228.5

The Magic come into today’s matchup with an overall record of 28-41. So far, the team has gone 36-32-1 against the spread. In the teams past 3 games, their overall mark sits at 1-2. Orlando is 1-2 vs the spread in these matchups.

The Magic are coming off a disappointing 132-114 loss to the Spurs. Going into the game, they were favored to win by 6 points. The game got away from Orlando in the 2nd half, as the Spurs extended their 6 point halftime lead to grab a 18 point win. In the loss, Paolo Banchero led the team in scoring with 27 points on a field goal percentage of 52.4%.

So far, the Suns have put together an overall record of 37-32, while going 37-30-2 vs the spread. Today, the Suns will be looking to snap a 3 game losing streak. The team has lost these games by an average of -10.67 points per contest.

Phoenix is trying to bounce back from a 116-104 loss to the Bucks. Going into this game, the team was 1 point underdogs on the spread, giving them an ATS loss. Phoenix was not able to turn things around in the 2nd half, as they trailed the Bucks by 12 going into halftime. In the loss, Devin Booker led the team in scoring with 30 points on a field goal percentage of 48.1%.

Head To Head Recap & Stats

In the most recent matchup between the two teams, the Magic picked up the win 114-97 win over the Suns. Heading into the game, Orlando was the 7.5 point underdogs, giving them an ATS win. This has been the only matchup between the two teams this season. Similar to their season-long average, the Magic averaged 102.0 points per game vs the Suns. Just like the Magic, the Suns maintained their usual level of scoring in head-to-head matchups, averaging 117.0 points per game vs Orlando. Across the last 5 matchups between the teams, Orlando has gone 3-2 vs the spread. However, the Suns actually have a positive scoring margin in these games at +6 points per game. In these contests, they averaged a combined 214 points per game, leading to an over-under mark of 2-3.

Odds & Free Betting Analysis For This NBA Game

Through 69 games, Orlando is averaging 111.6 points per game (26th). Coming into today’s game, the Magic will be looking to improve their 3-point shooting numbers, as they are averaging just 10.7 made 3’s per game. If the Orlando offense is going to turn things around, not only do they need to improve their outside shooting but they must do a better job protecting the ball. Currently, they are averaging 14.3 turnovers per game.

Against the Suns, the Magic will need a stronger defensive effort as they are ranked just 20th in points allowed.

Small-Forward Franz Wagner currently leads the Magic at 18.7 points per game. For the season, he is 98th in the NBA in usage rate and has taken 16.3% of the team’s field goal attempts. In addition to his scoring, Wagner is averaging 3.9 boards and 3.5 assists per contest. In today’s game, he is facing off against the NBA’s 5th ranked defense at defending small-forwards. Paolo Banchero enters the game sitting second on the team in scoring. Through 62 games, he is averaging 20.1 and is 164th in the league in player efficiency rating.

Through 69 games, the Suns are averaging 113.2 points per contest, placing them 20th in the NBA. So far, the Suns are averaging 97.9 possessions per game, which places them below the NBA average. A key aspect of the team’s offensive struggles is the fact that they not only play at a slow pace, but they struggle to score inside. Heading into today’s game, Phoenix is just 16th in shots made inside the arc.

Against the Magic, the Suns will look to continue their strong defensive play. For the year, they are the 9th ranked unit at 107.33 points per game.

Phoenix will be counting Devin Booker to put together a strong scoring performance vs the Orlando, as Kevin Durant has been ruled out for today’s game. So far, Durant leads the team in scoring at 29.5 points per game. Booker is 2nd on the team at 27.8 points per contest, which sits 10.0th in the NBA. In his 42 games, he has hit 49.3% of his field goal attempts, and is grabbing 4.5 rebounds per game.