Orlando Magic vs. Utah Jazz Betting Preview
Friday night will feature a battle of East versus West as the Orlando Magic (13-43) take on the Utah Jazz (34-21). The Jazz will host this one at Vivint Arena with tipoff scheduled for 9:00 pm ET.
The Magic, currently 14th in the Eastern Conference, broke a two-game losing streak by taking down the Trail Blazers 113-95 on Tuesday.
In the win, Cole Anthony led all scorers with 23 points while also adding seven rebounds and nine assists. Wendell Carter Jr. and Chuma Okeke added 18 apiece.
For the Utah Jazz, currently, fourth in the Western Conference, they are trying to add to their current four-game winning streak. On Wednesday, they were able to take down the Golden State Warriors at home in a rout, 111-85.
Bojan Bogdanovic had a game-high 23 points while Donovan Mitchell almost had a triple-double with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists.
The Jazz are heavy favorites playing at home. They are -820 to win while the Magic’s moneyline sits at +570. The spread features Orlando +12 (-110).
More Odds
The Jazz currently have the third-best odds of winning the West at +500. The Magic are tied for the worst odds of winning the East at +49000.
In terms of the NBA Finals, the Jazz have the seventh-best odds of winning at +1300. Orlando is +50000 to win it all.
By The Numbers
Offensively, Utah has been the best team in the NBA this season. They rank first in scoring averaging 113.6 points per game. The Magic rank 28th as they are averaging 103.1 points per game.
Defensively, it is again Utah with the advantage. They rank 10th in scoring defense as they are allowing opponents to score an average of 107.1 points per game. The Magic rank 19th allowing 111.1 points per game.
Orlando Looks To Improve On Dreadful Road Record
At 13-43 overall, it has been a miserable season for the Orlando Magic. They have struggled both at home (5-20) and on the road (8-23). Still, they will look to pull off a major upset Friday by stealing one on the road from the Utah Jazz.
As the trade deadline came and went on Thursday, the Magic did make a small trade as they acquired Bol Bol and PJ Dozier from the Celtics for a second-round pick. Both of these players are out with injuries, so neither will help the Magic in the short term.
The leading scorer for the Magic has been point guard Cole Anthony. In 42 games, he is averaging 17.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists.
Other contributors include Franz Wagner (15.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3 assists), Wendell Carter Jr (13.7 points, 10.2 rebounds), Jalen Suggs (12.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists), and Gary Harris (11.7 points).
Jazz Could Have Reinforcements
Like the Magic, the Utah Jazz made a small deal at the trade deadline as they traded away the injured Joe Ingles and draft picks for Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Juancho Hernangomez.
Even more important than their trade acquisitions, though, may be the return of one of their stars. Center Rudy Gobert was upgraded to questionable for Friday’s game as he is trying to return from a left calf strain.
This season, in 42 games, Gobert has averaged 16 points, 15.1 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game.
The leading scorer for the Jazz continues to be shooting guard Donovan Mitchell. He is averaging 25.4 points, 5.3 assists, and 1.6 steals per game.
Other impact players include Bojan Bogdanovic (18 points, 4.4 rebounds), Jordan Clarkson (15.5 points, 3.4 rebounds), and Mike Conley (14.3 points, 5.2 assists).
Expect The Jazz To Win Big
This really just seems like an unfair mismatch. Especially if Gobert can play, the Jazz’ roster is simply just superior to anything that the Magic can put on the court.
Especially playing at Vivint Arena, where they are 19-10, expect the Jazz to not only win but to cover the 12-point spread as well.