bet365 NBA Odds, Betting Preview: Raptors vs. Magic (Nov 21)

The Toronto Raptors will head south to take on the Orlando Magic on Monday Night. The season hasn’t necessarily gone as Toronto had hoped it would, but the Raptors are not out of it yet. As of today, they are just one game back of the eighth-place Cleveland Cavaliers.

There is a lot of ground to cover in this Eastern Conference matchup preview. Let’s take a closer look at both teams, how they got to this point, any injury concerns, betting and player prop trends, and which bets should be on your bet slip when all is said and done.

Raptors vs. Magic odds

Raptors Moneyline Odds	+105
Magic Moneyline Odds	-125
Over/Under	216.5 points (over -110, under -110)
Spread	Magic -1.5 (-110)
Time/Date	Nov. 21, 7:00 p.m. ET
TV	Broadcast: TSN Stream: NBA League Pass (How to watch the NBA in Canada?)

All odds courtesy of

About the Raptors (6-7 SU, 7-6 ATS, 6-7 o/u)

The summer was one of change for the Raptors and the team is still trying to figure out the direction they want to head in. So far, the season has largely been up and down, with the team losing three of its first four to begin the year and then three of their last four again recently.

Despite those ugly stretches, the Raptors are just one game back of the eighth seed in the conference. That has mostly to do with the fact that the Raptors have the ninth-ranked defensive rating in the league. Given that the offence is just 20th in the league in points per game, the defence has kept things from being worse than it could be.

If they hope to make the playoffs, the Raptors need to find a way to score, especially against the better teams in the league. They’ve lost to the Bucks, Celtics (twice), and Sixers (twice) already. Scottie Barnes has stepped up to give the team 20.1 points per game while also averaging nearly nine rebounds as well. He and Pascal Siakam have been consistent, with point guard Dennis Schroder also chipping in, especially as a distributor (7.3 assists per game). However, the Raptors need to get more depth scoring to ensure they qualify for the playoffs in the spring.

About the Magic (8-5 SU, 10-3 ATS, 5-8 o/u)

Coming into the year, the Magic were getting a bit of discussion as a sleeper team. As a young, talented squad that went 38-44 a year ago, the question became whether or not this group could take the next step forward and put the Magic back into the playoffs.

The early returns are there. Like the Raptors, the Magic are struggling offensively, 27th in the league in points per game with 109.4. On the flip side, they are second in overall defensive rating, and that has been a key factor in their 8-5 start to the season.

As of now, the Magic sit in the fifth spot in the Eastern Conference. They are within shouting distance of the big three in the East of Boston/Philadelphia/Milwaukee. While it is still early, the Magic have won their last three and seem to be finding some momentum. Whether they can continue this and build on it remains to be seen.

Injury Concerns

• For the Magic, there are two names on the injured list. Center Wendell Carter Jr. is nursing a finger injury and has been officially ruled out for the game against the Raptors. Likewise, PG Markelle Fultz has been dealing with a knee injury and will not suit up for this one.
• On the Raptors side of things, there are three names that likely will not be in the lineup against the Magic on Tuesday. Center Christian Koloko has officially been ruled out and is dealing with illness. Guard Javon Freeman-Liberty was ruled out for Sunday’s game due to an ankle injury and seems highly unlikely to play tonight. Thaddeus Young, who is also dealing with illness, is doubtful for tonight’s game as well.

Betting Trends

• The Raptors began the season as an under team, hitting the under in four of their first six games. Though they have hit the under in three of their last five, they have managed to hit the over in two of their last three. They have also topped 100 points in six of seven, something they only did just three times in their first six.
• The Magic have been a machine against the spread. At 10-3, the Magic are currently the second-best team in the NBA against the spread (76.9% cover). Over their last six games alone, the Magic have covered in five, including their last three (Indiana and twice against Chicago).
• If there is one area of consistency in the Raptors’ game, it is that they go back and forth in nearly every way. At 7-6 ATS and 6-7 on the over/under, they have gone on small streaks each way. Currently, they have covered in their last two (a win over Detroit and a loss to Boston).

Player Prop Trends

• Toronto’s Pascal Siakam is averaging 19.38 points per game this season. Over his last 10 games, he has managed to better his points prop five times, though he has achieved the feat in three of his last four games. He has also bettered his points + rebounds combo in three of his last four and four of his last six games.
• Paolo Banchero, the former #1 overall pick, has been a driving force for the Magic this season. He leads the team in points per game (18.7), rebounds per game (6.8), and assists per game (4.5). He is averaging 29.92 in that combo so far this year, though he has gone under in his last four combo props.
• Dennis Schroder has been more of a distributor than a scorer this season, leading the team with 7.3 assists per game. When it comes to points + assists, he is averaging 22.92 per game. He has been streaky this year hitting that mark, going three in a row on the over, then four in a row on the under (he’s back over again in his last two games).

Wagers to Consider

• As discussed above, the Magic have been one of the best teams in the NBA against the spread. Ride the wave and take them again in this one, where they are -1.5 (-110). The Magic’s collection of young talent will be tough for the Raptors to keep up with offensively.
• Scottie Barnes has his points prop set at 17.5 (over -115, under -115). He has been a bit cold offensively of late, topping 17 points just twice in his last six games. He can be a force – he had 29 against the Bucks on November 15 – so look for him to snap out of it and score more than 20 in this one.
• The over/under is set for 216.5 (over -110, under -110) in this one. Both teams are among the best in the league in terms of defensive rating, with the Raptors being ninth and the Magic second. Look for this one to be a tight game late into the fourth quarter, and take the under all day long.