Magic vs. Kings: NBA Picks & Predictions for Tonight’s Matchup

Orlando Magic (24-27 SU, 24-27 ATS) vs. Sacramento Kings (25-24 SU, 20-28 ATS)

When: Wednesday, February 5th, 10:00 PM (ET)

Where: Golden 1 Center, CA, Sacramento

TV: NBCS

Point Spread: Orl +5/Sac -5

Total: 218.5

Money Line: Orlando Magic +166/-198

Notable Injuries

Magic

• Moritz Wagner (Out) Knee
• Jalen Suggs (Doubtful) Quad

Kings

• No Injuries Reported

At 10:00 ET, the Sacramento Kings (-198) will host the Orlando Magic (+166) in a non-conference matchup. The Kings are currently favored by 5 points and have a record of 25-24, which puts them 8th in the Western Conference and 3rd in the Pacific Division. The Magic are 24-27, 8th in the Eastern Conference and 2nd in the Southeast Division. Orlando has lost four straight games.

This game will be played at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, and it can be seen on NBCS.

Recent Form

Orlando dropped to 24-27 on the season after a 104-99 road loss to the Warriors on Monday. The Magic, who came in as +3.5 point underdogs, failed to cover the spread, losing by five. The game’s total of 203 points fell short of the 209-point line.

Orlando jumped out to a strong start, leading 26-18 after the 1st quarter. However, they struggled in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, getting outscored 64-41. They rallied in the 4th, going on a 10-0 run to cut the lead from 86-74 to 96-74, but it wasn’t enough to complete the comeback.

The Kings improved to 25-24 on the season with a 116-114 win over the Timberwolves on Monday. Sacramento, who entered the game as +5 point underdogs, not only pulled off the road win but also covered the spread. The game’s total points of 230 exceeded the pre-game O/U line of 222.

Sacramento took control early, leading 67-59 at halftime after winning the first two quarters. Minnesota fought back in the third, outscoring the Kings 27-21, but Sacramento held on by matching the Timberwolves’ 28 points in the final quarter.

The Historicals

The ATS record across the previous five head-to-head meetings is 3-2 in favor of the Kings. In these matchups, Sacramento has averaged 124 points per game while allowing 117. Over the course of these games, they averaged 241 points per game, leading a 4-1 over-under record.

Analysis

In their 99-point effort against the Warriors, the Magic struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just eight threes at a 25% clip. Their overall field goal percentage was 43.4%, with Cole Anthony leading the way, shooting 52.4% and knocking down three threes at 33.3% efficiency.

Anthony finished with 26 points, including 11 in the 4th quarter, while Franz Wagner added 21 points, 14 of which came in the final period. Paolo Banchero contributed 18 points, scoring 10 in the 3rd quarter.

Even with a strong defensive effort in the 1st and 4th quarters, the Magic couldn’t overcome a tough 3rd quarter, where they gave up 39 points, leading to a 104-99 loss to the Warriors. Overall, Orlando held Golden State to 43% shooting from the field.

The Magic did well defending the three-point line, allowing just 12 made threes on 30% shooting. They finished with 34 defensive rebounds, gave up nine offensive boards, and recorded eight steals.

DeMar DeRozan led the Kings to a win over the Timberwolves, scoring 33 points and dishing out seven assists while shooting 56% from the field. Malik Monk added 26 points, and Keegan Murray chipped in 19, with 17 of those coming in the 1st quarter.

The Kings shot 48.9% from the field and hit 10 threes at a 41.7% clip. DeRozan scored 12 points in the 3rd quarter, and Monk added 10 in the 4th to help secure the victory.

Despite a rough start, the Kings tightened up defensively after allowing 34 points in the 1st quarter, giving up just 25 in the 2nd and 27 in the 3rd. They allowed 28 points in the 4th but held on for the win, giving up 114 points on 45% shooting from the field.

Sacramento did well from beyond the arc, limiting the Timberwolves to 12 made threes on 30% shooting. Minnesota also went 16/16 from the free-throw line. The Kings collected 36 defensive rebounds, allowed 11 offensive boards, and added seven steals and six blocks.

Betting Trends

• In their last three games away from home, the Magic have a straight-up record of 0-3 while going 0-3 vs. the spread. The team averaged 96 points per game in this stretch.
• Through their last three home contests, the Kings offense has averaged 110 points per game while allowing an average of 125. Sacramento posted an overall record of 1-2 while going 1-2 ATS.
• In their last five games as the betting underdog, the Magic have a straight-up record of 0-5 and an ATS mark of 1-4.
• The Kings have played well in their last five games as the betting favorite, going 4-1 straight up and 3-2 against the spread.

Joe’s Pick To Cover The Spread

Even without De’Aaron Fox after the trade for Zach Lavine, the Kings went on the road and beat the Timberwolves on Monday and now are favored by -5 over the Magic. Orlando is dealing with injuries to Mo Wager and Jalen Suggs, which is going to play a big role in this one. Suggs provides the Magic with good perimeter defense, while Wagern is averaging just under 13 PPG this year. I think Sacramento keeps things rolling and covers at -5.