Brooklyn Nets vs Orlando Magic Picks and Predictions December 1st 2024

At 3:30 ET, the Orlando Magic (-280) will take on the Brooklyn Nets (+230) in a Eastern Conference matchup. The Magic are favored by 6.5 points and have won five straight games. The over/under line is set at 210.

This game will be played at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn and can be seen on YES.

Magic vs. Nets Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Orlando Magic at Brooklyn Nets
• Where: Brooklyn at Barclays Center
• Date: Sunday, December 1st
• Betting Odds ORL -6.5, ORL -280 | BKN +230 O/U 210

The Magic Can Win If…

With a 123-100 win over the Nets on Friday, the Magic improved to 14-7 this season. Orlando, favored by 8 points, covered the spread with the victory. The game’s total score of 223 points exceeded the O/U line of 207.

A key moment was a 13-0 run by the Magic, which extended their lead from 50-46 to 59-50. They dominated the 2nd and 3rd quarters, outscoring Brooklyn 63-42, and entered the 4th quarter with a 96-71 lead. The Nets edged out the Magic 29-27 in the final quarter.

Franz Wagner’s 29 points, 8 assists, and 8 rebounds powered the Magic to a win over the Nets, with Wagner shooting 60% from the field and hitting 3 threes at 50%. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 19 points, connecting on 4 threes at 80% efficiency.

Orlando’s offense was firing on all cylinders, shooting 53% from the field and 51.4% from deep, making 18 threes in total. Wagner scored 13 points in the 1st quarter, while Caldwell-Pope added 9 points in the 3rd.

Despite giving up 29 points in both the 1st and 4th quarters, the Magic’s defense tightened up in the 2nd and 3rd, allowing just 20 and 22 points, respectively, to hold the Nets to 100 points in a 123-100 win. Orlando sent Brooklyn to the free-throw line 14 times, where the Nets converted 10 attempts.

The Magic struggled to defend the three, with the Nets hitting 14 threes at a 48% clip. However, Orlando limited Brooklyn’s second-chance opportunities, allowing just 5 offensive rebounds. The Magic also recorded 13 steals and 13 blocks in the game.

• Across their ten previous road games, Orlando has an ATS mark of 4-6. Their straight up record in these matchups was 4-6 while averaging 102 points per game.
• Orlando has done well both straight up and vs the spread when favored to win the game, going 3-0 SU and 3-0 ATS in their last three games.
• Over their last five games, the Magic have an over/under record of 4-1 and are 5-0 vs. the spread.

The Nets Can Win If…

The Nets fell to 9-11 on the season after a 123-100 home loss to the Magic on Friday. Brooklyn entered the game as +8 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The total points of 223 exceeded the O/U line of 207 by 16 points.

Orlando took control with a 13-0 run, stretching the score from 50-46 to 59-50. The Magic outscored Brooklyn 28-20 in the 2nd quarter and 35-22 in the 3rd, leaving the Nets trailing 96-71 going into the 4th. Brooklyn edged Orlando 29-27 in the final quarter.

Shake Milton led the Nets with 22 points and 4 assists in their loss to the Magic, shooting 53.8% from the field and hitting 2 threes at a 50% clip. Keon Johnson added 15 points, 10 of which came in the 4th quarter, and Cameron Johnson contributed 14 points, knocking down 3 threes at 60% efficiency.

Brooklyn connected on 14 threes, shooting 48.3% from beyond the arc and 49.4% overall. Jalen Wilson scored 9 of his 11 points in the opening quarter, while Milton added 8 points in both the 2nd and 4th quarters.

The Nets struggled defensively on Friday, giving up 123 points to the Magic, who shot 53% from the field. Brooklyn allowed 33 points in the 1st quarter and 35 in the 3rd, with Orlando scoring 27 points in the 4th.

From beyond the arc, the Magic hit 18 threes at a 51% clip. Brooklyn sent Orlando to the line 22 times, where they made 17 free throws. The Nets gave up 11 offensive rebounds while recording 5 steals and 5 blocks.

• The Nets are 3-0 ATS in their last three home games and 3-0 straight-up.
• As the betting underdog, the Nets have an ATS record of 3-2 in their last five games. In these matchups their, straight up record was 3-2.
• In their last three games, the Nets have an over/under record of 3-0 and are 0-3 vs. the spread.

The Lean

The Magic is our selection to secure the victory, with a projected score of 98-77. We also like them to cover the spread, so we suggest betting on the Magic at -6.5.

As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 210 and our model has the Magic and Nets finishing with a combined 175 points. Our pick is to take the under.

Wagner’s Dominance Key to Magic’s Success

Franz Wagner has become the linchpin of the Orlando Magic’s offense, especially in their first two matchups against the Brooklyn Nets this season. With Wagner leading the charge, the Magic have outscored the Nets by a combined 38 points in two wins. The rising star will aim for another standout performance as Orlando seeks to extend its winning streak to six games in Sunday’s contest in Brooklyn.

“He’s our go-to guy,” said Magic guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. “He’s stepped up, and it’s showing. Every game, the ball is in his hands to make plays, to make shots.”

Franz Wagner’s Stellar Season

Wagner has been in career-best form this season, averaging 23.6 points per game—a steady rise since he entered the league in 2021. His 29-point efforts in both previous meetings with Brooklyn highlight his ability to dominate, particularly against the Nets’ defense.

In the Magic’s latest win over Brooklyn, Wagner scored 21 of his 29 points in the first half, showcasing efficient shooting with a 12-for-20 performance from the field. Over the past 11 games, Wagner has stepped up in the absence of injured star Paolo Banchero, averaging 25.4 points on 46.6 percent shooting and frequently carrying Orlando’s offense.

Key highlights from Wagner’s recent performances:

• Back-to-back 29-point games vs. Nets
• 37-point explosion vs. Lakers on Nov. 21
• Eight games with 25+ points during the Magic’s 11-1 stretch

Magic’s Recent Surge

Orlando enters Sunday with an impressive 11-1 record over its past 12 games. Despite missing Banchero (oblique injury) for the past 16 contests, the Magic have relied on Wagner and their defensive intensity to dominate opponents.

Against Brooklyn this season, Orlando has scored 59 points off 39 Nets turnovers, underscoring their defensive pressure. Caldwell-Pope has also contributed as a sharpshooter, hitting four 3-pointers and adding 19 points in the Magic’s most recent win over the Nets.

Nets’ Struggles Against Eastern Opponents

Brooklyn, now 3-10 against Eastern Conference teams, has struggled to find consistency under first-year coach Jordi Fernandez. After a promising 3-1 road trip featuring wins over the Kings, Suns, and Warriors, the Nets stumbled at home against the Magic in a lopsided 123-100 loss Friday.

Turnovers plagued Brooklyn, as they tied their season high with 20 giveaways, while taking a season-low 29 3-point attempts. Injuries and absences also continue to disrupt the Nets, who were without Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle), Dennis Schroder (personal), and Cam Thomas (hamstring).

“We were a step slow with our physicality and rotations,” Fernandez said after the loss. “You pay for it against a team like Orlando.”

Key Matchup: Franz Wagner vs. Nets’ Defense

The Nets have yet to find an answer for Wagner’s dynamic scoring ability, which has been the cornerstone of Orlando’s success in their previous meetings. Brooklyn’s defense must limit turnovers and improve communication to avoid another dominant outing from Wagner.

The absence of Schroder, who has been a vital playmaker for Brooklyn, has further strained the Nets’ ability to compete effectively. Schroder’s potential return would provide much-needed stability, but his status remains uncertain.

Prediction

The Magic are firing on all cylinders, while the Nets’ inconsistency and injury woes leave them vulnerable. With Wagner playing at an All-Star level and Orlando maintaining its defensive intensity, the Magic have a clear path to their sixth consecutive victory.