Magic at Rockets: Prediction, point spread, odds, over/under, betting picks

The Houston Rockets will kick off a four-game homestand with Friday’s visit from Orlando, and if you’re looking to do some last-minute betting research, you’re in luck! We’ll give you the latest point spread, money line odds and over/under number, as well as the information you’ll need to make the smartest bet at Tipico Sportsbook.

The game tips off at 7 p.m. Central and can be viewed or streamed via AT&T SportsNet Southwest and NBA League Pass.

It’s well known that young teams such as the Magic (5-18) and Rockets tend to run hot and cold, but Houston (5-16) is taking it to an extreme.

Wednesday’s come-from-behind victory at Oklahoma City — even with big names like Christian Wood, Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green lost to injuries — was the fourth consecutive win by the Rockets. That streak began immediately after Houston had lost 15 straight games. The Rockets are the first team in NBA history to win at least four consecutive games after previously losing 15 or more games in a row.

Magic at Rockets notable injuries:

The Magic are one of two teams in the league with a worse record than Houston, so on paper, the Rockets enter Friday’s game in a relatively strong position. However, Stephen Silas’ team definitely will not be at full strength, since Jalen Green (left hamstring strain) remains out and Christian Wood (right ankle sprain) and Kevin Porter Jr. (left thigh contusion) are probable and questionable, respectively. Houston is also listing rookie forward Usman Garuba (right thigh contusion) as out.

Orlando has five players listed as out: Markelle Fultz (left knee), Jalen Suggs (right thumb fracture), E’Twaun Moore (left knee sprain), Jonathan Isaac (left knee) and Michael Carter-Williams (left ankle).

Projected Lineups

Point spread: Rockets -2.5
Money line: Rockets -145 / Magic +120
Over-under: 217.5 points

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Advice and prediction

If Christian Wood plays, the Rockets should be the better team with much more firepower. It’s tough to say with certainty that he will, considering he was in a walking boot after Wednesday’s game. But if you take the injury report at face value, and Wood is indeed more likely than not to play, Houston may have value at a relatively small number. With Wood in the lineup, the Rockets went 2-0 versus Orlando in 2020-21, even though Houston finished with the league’s worst record last season.

The best betting play might be to wait for Silas to give final confirmation regarding Wood’s availability in the two hours prior to tipoff at Toyota Center. If he’s in, jump on the line before it can move too much.

Prediction (if Wood plays): Rockets 111, Magic 105

This post originally appeared on Rockets Wire. Follow us on Facebook!

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