Magic vs Kings: 3 Best Bets

The Orlando Magic hopes to secure a win tonight against the Sacramento Kings, and we have our three best bets below.

The Orlando Magic is back in action tonight against the Sacramento Kings, who hold the fifth seed in the Western Conference and are trying to prove that last season’s success is the new norm in the City of Trees.

Orlando’s stagnant offense has propelled their downfall in the most recent NBA power rankings, and a win against the high-powered Kings would show that their offense can keep up with some of the best in the league. However, if they aim to stop De’Aaron Fox, the Magic will have to bring their defense to the party.

Wendell Carter Jr. (34) of the Orlando Magic takes a three-pointer over De'Anthony Melton (8) of the Philadelphia 76ers.  / Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports

The Kings are led by Fox, who is averaging a career-high 30 points per game on 40 percent shooting from deep, which is also a career-high. The Kings are healthy entering this game, and the exhausted Magic is without Kevon Harris. Markelle Fultz, Joe Ingles, Jonathan Isaac, and Gary Harris are all questionable.

Check out out three best bets below, powered by the lines at SI Sportsbook.

The Lines

Point spread: Kings -4.5 (-118)/Magic +4.5 (-105)

Moneyline: Kings (-200)/Magic (+155)

Over/under: 230.5

Our Picks

Safe pick: Paolo Banchero OVER 25.5 points (-133)

Paolo Banchero is playing like an All-Star, averaging 28 points over his last three games. However, in the second half of back-to-backs, he is only posting 19.3 points in six games, so proceed with caution. The saving grace of this bet is the fact that Sacramento is 21st in the league in points allowed and points in the paint allowed, so Banchero should be able to be a wreaking ball against Domantas Sabonis, who is not the best defender down low.

Opponent pick: De’Aaron Fox OVER 29.5 points (-133)

Usually, we have faith in Orlando’s defense to stop the opponent’s best scorer, but Fox has been on a tear, averaging 32 points over his last four games. Granted, none of those performances were against teams with good defense, but the travel exhaustion and playing fatigue will probably get to Orlando’s backcourt, which simply won’t have the energy to stop him.

Inside Magic's Wendell Carter Jr. & Franz Wagner's 'Really Good Connection'

Team pick: OVER 230.5 points scored (-118)

The Magic is tired, but they will need to take and make shots if they want to keep this game close. Their defense has been trending down recently, so playing a high-powered offensive game is their best chance to keep it close. With no answer for Fox, the Kings will be able to light up the scoreboard and the Magic will have to run the floor, forcing them to hit the over.