Magic vs. Mavericks Predictions: Expert NBA Picks and Best Bets

Orlando Magic (3-3 SU, 2-4 ATS) vs. Dallas Mavericks (3-2 SU, 2-3 ATS)

When: Sunday, November 3rd, 7:30 PM (ET)

Where: American Airlines Center, TX, Dallas

TV: KFAA

Point Spread: Orl +8/Dal -8

Total: 219

Money Line: Orlando Magic +262/-322

Notable Injuries

Magic

• Wendell Carter Jr. (Questionable) Knee
• Goga Bitadze (Questionable) Foot
• Paolo Banchero (Out) Oblique

Mavericks

• Dante Exum (Out) Wrist
• Maxi Kleber (Out) Hamstring

At 7:30 ET, the Orlando Magic will travel to take on the Dallas Mavericks in a non-conference matchup. The Mavericks (-322) are favored by eight over the Magic (+262). The over/under line is set at 219.

This game will be played at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. The Magic are 3-3 on the season, while the Mavericks are 3-2. You can watch this game on KFAA.

Recent Form

The Magic fell to 3-3 on the season after a 120-109 road loss to the Cavaliers on Friday. Orlando, who entered the game as +7.5 point underdogs, couldn’t cover the spread. The total score of 229 points exceeded the pre-game line of 216.5 by 12.5 points.

Orlando’s slow start proved costly, as they were outscored 34-16 in the 1st quarter, including a 10-0 run by the Cavs. Despite a strong finish, where they outscored Cleveland 31-25 in the 4th quarter, the Magic couldn’t overcome a 95-78 deficit heading into the final period.

The Mavericks dropped to 3-2 on the season after a 108-102 home loss to the Rockets on Thursday. Dallas, favored by 6.5 points, not only lost but also failed to cover the spread. The game’s total points of 210 fell short of the 226-point O/U line.

Dallas got off to a rough start, trailing 34-21 after the 1st quarter. They played the Rockets evenly in the 2nd quarter and were outscored 31-28 in the 3rd, leaving them down 88-72 going into the 4th. Despite a strong 4th quarter, where they outscored Houston 30-20, the Mavericks couldn’t complete the comeback.

The Historicals

Across the last five matchups between the teams, Orlando has gone 3-1-1 vs the spread. However, the Mavericks actually have a positive scoring margin in these games at +3 points per game. A combined average of 219 points per game was achieved in these matchups, leading to an over-under mark of 3-2.

Analysis

Jalen Suggs led the Magic with 28 points and seven assists in their 120-109 loss to the Cavaliers, shooting 50% from the field. Tristan Da Silva and Franz Wagner each added 17 points, with Da Silva hitting all 3 of his three-point attempts.

Orlando shot 45.6% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc, making 11 threes in the game. Suggs scored 13 points in the 3rd quarter, while Da Silva added 8 of his points in the 4th.

Defensively, the Magic struggled against the Cavaliers, allowing 120 points on 50% shooting. Cleveland put up 34 points in the 1st quarter and 32 in the 3rd, with Orlando’s best defensive effort coming in the 4th, where they gave up 25 points.

The Magic also had trouble defending the three, as the Cavaliers hit 15 threes at a 39% clip. Orlando sent Cleveland to the line 20 times, where they made 17 free throws. The Magic recorded ten steals and four blocks in the game.

Jalen Suggs led the Magic with 28 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists in their 120-109 loss to the Cavaliers, shooting 50% from the field. Tristan Da Silva and Franz Wagner each added 17 points, with Da Silva hitting three threes at 100% efficiency and shooting 75% overall.

Orlando connected on 11 threes at a 33.3% rate while shooting 45.6% from the field. Suggs scored 13 points in the 3rd quarter, and Da Silva added 8 of his 17 points in the 4th.

The Mavericks’ defense had a strong showing, holding the Rockets to 108 points on 41% shooting, including just 8 made threes at a 23% clip. They gave up 34 points in the 1st quarter but tightened up in the 2nd and 4th, allowing just 23 and 20 points, respectively.

Dallas sent Houston to the line 27 times, where the Rockets converted 20 free throws. The Mavericks finished with 27 defensive rebounds, but they allowed 18 offensive boards. They also contributed six steals and seven 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 106 points per game in this stretch.
• Across their three previous home games, Dallas has an ATS mark of 1-2. Their straight-up record in these matchups was 1-2 while averaging 103 points per game.
• As the betting underdog, the Magic have an ATS mark of just 1-2 in their last three games. Orlando posted a straight-up mark of 1-2 in these matchups.
• Looking back on the team’s last three games as the favorite, the Mavericks have a straight-up record of 1-2. Their record vs the spread in these games was 0-3.

Joes Pick To Cover The Spread

Orlando heads into tonight’s game vs Dallas in their 2nd game without Paolo Banchero. With this injury, the Magic are +8 point underdogs on the road. Although Orlando has some decent perimeter defenders, I’m just not sure where their consistent scoring is going to come from without Banchero. Look for Dallas to run away with this one tonight and take them to cover at -8.