The Timberwolves and Magic will face off for the first time this season. The TWolves come into this one losers of 3 of their last 4 and the Magic come in on back to back wins. The TWolves are favored in this one with the better record and they are the healthier team. Let's take a closer look at this matchup and get into our Timberwolves vs Magic Prediction - NBA Picks 1/9/24.
Minnesota Timberwolves:
The Timberwolves, with a record of 25-10, are first in the Northwest Division. They have shown strength both offensively and defensively, averaging 112.9 points per game while allowing 107.7 points per game against them.
Key players like Anthony Edwards, who scored 36 points in their last game, along with the veteran presence of Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert, provide a solid foundation for the team.
Despite a recent loss to the Dallas Mavericks, the Timberwolves have shown resilience and the ability to control the game’s tempo, especially against teams with a slower pace.
Orlando Magic:
The Magic have a record of 21-15, placing them first in the Southeast Division. They are performing well, especially at home, with a 13-4 home record.
Orlando is dealing with some injury concerns, missing key players like Wendell Carter Jr., Gary Harris, and Franz Wagner. This will impact their performance, especially against a team as defensively strong as the Timberwolves.
The Magic will rely heavily on Paolo Banchero and other young talents to fill the gaps left by injured players.
Game Prediction:
The Timberwolves are slight favorites in this matchup. They have been performing well on the road with an 11-8 record, and their defensive capabilities, coupled with the scoring prowess of players like Edwards, make them a formidable opponent.
The Magic, despite their injury setbacks, have shown they can be a strong force at home. They might face challenges against the Timberwolves' defense but have the potential to make it a competitive game.
The over under is set at 218.5 for this matchup. The Magic have gone over that number in. 4 of their last 5 games but the Timberwolves have gone under that number in 3 of their last 5.
Final Score
Timberwolves 115 Magic 108
