Orlando Magic - Brooklyn Nets predictions and free betting tips [28/02/2024]

On Wednesday morning, the Brooklyn Nets will arrive at Amway Center to lock horns with the Orlando Magic.

Orlando Magic

Magic are making noticeable progress, having won 7 out of their last 10 matches, yet they face the challenge of recuperating after their recent defeat to Atlanta Hawks with a score of 92:109. Franz Wagner made a substantial contribution to the game, scoring 19 points, with 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Wendell Carter Jr also stood out, amassing 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Cole Anthony played a crucial role, coming off the bench and scoring 15 points. Despite their efforts, Magic could only manage 41% successful play shots and 14 out of 38 from beyond the arc, encountering robust defence from the Hawks, particularly in the third quarter where they lost 38-19 points leading to a 20-point lag.

Magic are also monitoring the health status of two key players: Paolo Banchero sat out due to illness while Jonathan Isaac encountered a left knee strain ahead of the pivotal match against the Brooklyn Nets. Despite this, Banchero missed his first game of the season, and Isaac left and did not return to the court, although X-rays showed a negative result. Markelle Fultz returned to the game after missing three matches due to a knee injury, and his comeback is under careful scrutiny by Coach Jamal Mosley, who aspires for a gradual reintroduction of the player into the fray. Cole Anthony and Franz Wagner continue to contribute to the team’s play, with Wagner averaging 22 points over the last 12 games, underlining his significance to Magic.

Brooklyn Nets

Nets are going through a period of change and are in search of stability after losing 7 out of their past 9 games. Regardless, the team is showing signs of recovery, particularly after recently snapping the losing streak with an emphatic win against Memphis Grizzlies with a score of 111:86. In this game, Dennis Schroder scored 18 points and made 5 assists, Cam Thomas added 14 points and 5 assists, while Dorian Finney-Smith contributed 13 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists. The Nets demonstrated impressive accuracy, capitalizing on 48% of their play shots and 15 out of 42 three-pointers. A strong start allowed them to have a 26-point advantage at the break, subsequently leading to key players receiving additional rest.

Under the direction of interim Coach Kevin Ollie, the Nets are beginning to show improvement, with Schroder and Finney-Smith playing a key role in the recent win. Despite a right ankle injury, Cam Thomas remains optimistic about his recovery, adding confidence to the team. Ben Simmons, who was on the court for 14 minutes as a reserve and is expected to be on the roster the next day, further bolsters the lineup for caution's sake.

Prediction for the Orlando Magic - Brooklyn Nets match

In the upcoming showdown, the Nets are likely to compete without the participation of Ben Simmons and Cam Thomas, while Magic will closely watch the health status of Paolo Banchero, whose participation is a question mark due to his illness. Magic hold the favourites status in this game, especially considering their successes on the home turf, where they clinched victory in 4 out of the last 5 matches. Brooklyn has a back-to-back, I'm betting on the total points being under.