The Orlando Magic will host the Portland Trail Blazers in an NBA battle on Thursday night at the Amway Center. The Magic are off to a surprising 2-2 start this season and are leading the Southeast Division in the Eastern Conference. The Portland Trail Blazers have started the season with a 2-1 record and trail the Denver Nuggets in the Northwest Division. The Magic are trying to get back to being a perennial playoff contender, while the Trail Blazers are trying to elevate to one of the top teams in the Western Conference.
Magic vs. Trail Blazers Odds
The Portland Trail Blazers are a small favorite in this game despite being on the road. The moneyline for this game is Portland -3.0. The over/under for total points scored in this game is set at 218 points.
Spread: Portland Trail Blazers -3.0
O/U: 218
Magic vs. Trail Blazers Head to Head
This is the first of two meetings between the Orlando Magic and Portland Trail Blazers this season. The Trail Blazers beat the Magic in both of the meetings a season ago, outscoring the Magic by a combined thirteen points in the two games.
Magic vs. Trail Blazers Stats
The Orlando Magic have averaged just 100 points per game, which is one of the worst point totals in the league. Center Nikola Vucevic has been the main offensive star for the Magic this season, averaging 18.8 points and 10.3 rebounds per game this season. The Magic have given up just 106.8 points per game this season which ranks in the top-10 in the NBA.
The Portland Trail Blazers are one of the highest scoring teams in the NBA, averaging 124.3 points per game so far this season. Damian Lillard is averaging 28.7 points and 7.0 assists through the team’s first three games this season. Portland is struggling on defense so far in 2018, giving up a whopping 117.3 points per game.
Magic vs. Trail Blazers News
The Orlando Magic feature one of the youngest rosters, with rookie Mohamed Bamba being at the center of the roster. Magic head coach Steve Clifford has started off 2-2 in his Orlando career after coaching the New Orleans Hornets until being fired last season.
The Portland Trail Blazers recently lost owner Paul Allen to a battle with leukemia and his sister Jody Allen has been appointed executor and trustee of his estate. Shooting guard Nik Stauskas has been impressive so far in his Trail Blazers career after bouncing around the league for several seasons.
Magic vs. Trail Blazers Predictions
The Portland Trail Blazers have been one of the top teams in the NBA in recent seasons, while the Magic are trying to get to that level. Orlando has gotten off to a good start to the year, but the Trail Blazers still have way more talent than the Magic have. Look for Portland to pick up a big road win over the Magic in this game. Bet the Trail Blazers -3.0 over the Magic on Thursday night.
