The Orlando Magic (31-36) travel to face off against the Minnesota Timberwolves (38-29) on Friday, March 14th. This game will be played at Target Center in Minneapolis and televised on FDSN. Both team’s come into this one having won their previous games. Tip-off is set for 8:00 ET.

Magic vs Timberwolves

The Magic Are Coming Off A Win

The Magic improved to 31-36 with a 113-93 win over the Pelicans on Thursday. Orlando, favored by 2 points, covered the spread with the 20-point victory. The game’s total of 206 points fell short of the 215.5-point O/U line.

Orlando took control early with an 11-0 run, extending the score from 8-6 to 17-8. They dominated the 2nd quarter, outscoring New Orleans 36-15, and entered the 4th quarter with an 88-65 lead. The Pelicans edged the Magic 28-25 in the final period, but the game was already out of reach.

The Timberwolves Are Coming Off A Win

The Timberwolves improved to 38-29 on the season with a 115-95 win over the Nuggets on Wednesday. Minnesota, who entered the game as +1.5 point underdogs, not only won but covered the spread with a convincing 20-point victory. The total points for the game were 210, falling well short of the 233-point over/under line.

After a 10-0 run by Denver cut Minnesota’s lead to 43-41, the Timberwolves responded by outscoring the Nuggets 89-75 heading into the 4th quarter. They closed out the game by holding Denver to just 20 points in the final period while adding 26 points of their own.

Magic Offense Breakdown

Paolo Banchero’s 34-point, 11-rebound performance led the Magic to a win over the Pelicans, as he shot 63.6% from the field and hit 4 threes at 50% efficiency. Franz Wagner added 27 points, shooting 64.7%.

Orlando shot 51.8% overall, making 13 threes at a 39.4% rate. Banchero scored 14 points in the 1st quarter, adding 10 more in the 2nd, while Wagner contributed 12 points in the 2nd period.

Timberwolves Offense Breakdown

Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 29 points, including 10 in the 3rd quarter, as they defeated the Nuggets 115-95. Edwards hit 5 threes, shooting 41.7% from deep, while Julius Randle added 25 points, connecting on 3 threes at a 60% rate.

Minnesota made 17 threes, shooting 42.5% from beyond the arc, and finished with an overall FG% of 47.8%. Jaden McDaniels contributed 16 points and 8 rebounds, hitting 2 threes at 50% efficiency.

Magic Team Defense

The Magic’s defense was stellar on Thursday, holding the Pelicans to just 93 points. Their best defensive effort came in the 2nd quarter, where they allowed only 15 points. Overall, Orlando limited New Orleans to 44% shooting from the field.

Orlando’s perimeter defense was particularly strong, as they allowed just 7 made threes on 28% shooting. The Magic also sent the Pelicans to the line 21 times, where they made 16 free throws. Defensively, the Magic recorded 7 steals and 7 blocks.

Timberwolves Team Defense

The Magic put on a defensive clinic against the Pelicans, holding them to just 93 points. Their best quarter came in the 2nd, where they allowed only 15 points. Overall, Orlando limited New Orleans to 44% shooting from the field.

Orlando’s perimeter defense was especially strong, as they held the Pelicans to just 7 made threes on 28% shooting. The Magic also recorded 7 steals and 7 blocks in the game.

Magic vs Timberwolves Trends

• In their last ten games away from home, the Magic have a straight up record of 4-6 while going 4-6 vs. the spread. The team averaged 104 points per game in this stretch.
• When looking at their past ten home matchups, Minnesota has an ATS record of 5-5 while averaging 117 per game. The team went 6-4 overall in these games.
• As the betting underdog, the Magic have an ATS mark of just 1-2 in their last three games. Orlando posted a straight up mark of 1-2 in these matchups.
• In their last five games as the betting favorite, the Timberwolves have a strong straight up record of 5-0. In addition, their ATS record was 4-1 in these scenarios.

Magic vs Timberwolves Prediction

We’re calling a win for the Timberwolves, with a final score of 130-104, and we’re taking them to cover the spread. Our recommendation is to bet on the Timberwolves at -10.5.

Regarding the over/under, the current line is set at 209, and our model predicts the Magic and Timberwolves to score a combined 234 points. We recommend betting on the over.

All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.