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Orlando Magic at Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Preview

Wednesday night features a matchup of East versus West as the Orlando Magic (6-8) take on the Minnesota Timberwolves (3-9). The Timberwolves will host this one from the Target Center, with tipoff scheduled for 8 pm ET.

At 6-8, the Magic currently find themselves in 9th place in the Eastern Conference, just a half-game behind the Atlanta Hawks. While it is too early to worry about playoff seeding, the Magic would like to take advantage of a weak Timberwolves team and pull out a victory in this one. Unfortunately for the Magic, after starting 6-2, they are currently trying to snap a six-game losing streak.

In an overall tough Western Conference, the Timberwolves currently sit in dead last. On Wednesday, they will try to take advantage of a struggling Orlando team to win their second game in their last four. They are currently 2-4 while playing at the Target Center.

Despite playing on the road and their recent struggles, the Magic still come into this one as the slight favorite. They are -174 to win while the Timberwolves’ moneyline sits at +146. The spread features Minnesota +4.

By The Numbers

Neither of these teams are particularly strong on offense. Minnesota ranks 23rd in scoring, averaging 107.7 points per game. The Magic fall to 28th averaging 104.5. Both teams are averaging 100 or less over their last three.

Defensively, it is the Magic that holds the edge. They rank 18th in scoring defense, allowing 110.7 points per game. Minnesota ranks 27th, allowing an average of 117.8.

Magic Look To Snap Skid

After starting 6-2, the Orlando Magic felt confident in their young squad, but reality has hit over the last couple of weeks. Now reeling off an extended losing streak, the Magic will look to get back into the win column.  

It should be noted that their last four losses have come against four of the top six teams in the East, meaning they haven’t been losing against bad teams.

Leading the way for Orlando this season has been star center Nikola Vucevic. On the year, he is averaging a double-double with 22.9 points and 11 rebounds. He is also chipping in 3.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game.

Other contributors include Terrence Ross (16.4 points), Aaron Gordon (14.9 points, seven rebounds, 3.5 assists), and Cole Anthony (10.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists)

Timberwolves Looking For Win Number Four Without Star

While the Minnesota Timberwolves are not a true title contender, when healthy, they are better than their current record. Unfortunately, health is something that has been an issue. Star center Karl-Anthony Towns has only played in four games this season and will miss this one after testing positive for COVID-19.

Without Towns, the leading scorer for the Timberwolves has been guard D’Angelo Russell. On the season, he has averaged 21.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 5.6 assists.

Others that chip in include Malik Beasley (19.8 points, 4.8 rebounds), Naz Reid (10.7 points, 4.1 rebounds), and Anthony Edwards (12.5 points).

Taking Magic To Get Out Of Funk

Sometimes the best thing that can get you out of a losing streak is your own schedule. In this case, it means the Magic get to host a Timberwolves team that has struggled throughout the beginning of the season and are without their biggest star.

Despite their losing streak, the Magic still have a better scoring margin on the season than the Timberwolves. They are -6.2 on the season, while Minnesota is -10.2.  

It might not be pretty, but I do like the Magic to pick up the win despite playing on the road. I like them to both win and cover the 4-point spread.

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