The regular season is winding down with just a month left, but NBA fans will get a new matchup Saturday night as the Orlando Magic travel to face the Minnesota Timberwolves in their first meeting of the season.
The Timberwolves enter the game with a 40-23 record, sitting third in the Western Conference, while the Magic are 33-28 and eighth in the East.
Here’s a preview of this game, scheduled for a 3 p.m. ET tipoff.
Magic vs Timberwolves Odds
Moneyline: Magic (+225) vs Timberwolves (-275)
Spread: Magic +6.5 (-110) vs Timberwolves -6.5 (-110)
Total (O/U): Magic o216.5 (-110) vs Timberwolves u216.5 (-110)
Editor’s note: The odds could change close to the game. The odds listed were as per available information at the time of writing.
Magic vs Timberwolves Preview
The Magic have been among the season’s biggest disappointments, as a team many expected to contend in what was viewed as a wide-open Eastern Conference has struggled with inconsistency.
They come into the game riding back-to-back wins after previously dropping two straight. The matchup against Minnesota also begins a back-to-back road stretch for Orlando.
Since the NBA All-Star Game break, the Magic are 5-3 and have posted the sixth-best defensive rating during that span.
They are coming off a gritty home win over the Dallas Mavericks, rallying from a four-point deficit in the final half-minute before a game-winning dunk by Wendell Carter Jr. sealed the victory.
But awaiting them is a tougher Western Conference opponent than Dallas — the Timberwolves, who currently hold the NBA’s longest active winning streak at five games.
Although Minnesota’s advanced metrics since the All-Star break have not been particularly strong, its 6-1 record in that stretch suggests the team is building momentum as the playoffs approach.
Injury Reports
For Orlando, Jonathan Isaac is questionable with left knee soreness, while Franz Wagner remains out due to left high ankle sprain injury management. G League players Colin Castleton and Alex Morales are also unavailable.
The Timberwolves list Kyle Anderson as questionable with right knee soreness, while G League players Enrique Freeman, Zyon Pullin and Rocco Zikarsky are out.
Prediction
Minnesota has been on a hot streak, and facing an Orlando squad without Wagner, expect the Timberwolves to start fast and hold on behind their offense.
Our prediction: Timberwolves win by 14.
Magic vs Timberwolves Player Props
- Anthony Edwards O/U 29.5 points – Take the over.
- Paolo Banchero O/U 22.5 points – Take the over.
- Desmond Bane O/U 20.5 points – Take the over.
- Julius Randle O/U 18.5 points – Take the over.
