Orlando Magic vs Oklahoma City Thunder December 19th 2024
At 7:00 ET, the Orlando Magic will host the Oklahoma City Thunder in a non-conference matchup. The Thunder (-6.5) are favored over the Magic, and the over/under line is set at 209.5.
Oklahoma City comes into the game with a record of 20-5, and they are currently on a five-game win streak. The Magic are 17-11 and have lost their last two games. TNT will have the television coverage for this game.
Thunder vs. Magic Key Information
- Sport: NBA
- Teams: Oklahoma City Thunder at Orlando Magic
- Where: Orlando at Kia Center
- Date: Thursday, December 19th
- Betting Odds OKC -6.5, OKC -249 | ORL +208 O/U 209.5
The Thunder Can Win If…
The Thunder improved to 20-5 on the season with a 111-96 win over the Rockets on Saturday. Playing at home, Oklahoma City entered the game as -5.5 point favorites and covered the spread with a +15 point victory. The total score of 207 points fell short of the 215-point over/under line.
Oklahoma City took control with an 11-0 run, stretching the score from 51-48 to 59-51. They edged out the Rockets 23-22 in the 2nd quarter, then pulled away by outscoring them 34-27 in the 3rd and 36-27 in the 4th.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder to a win over the Rockets with 32 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists, despite shooting 38.1% from the field. Isaiah Hartenstein added 21 points on 75% shooting, and Jalen Williams contributed 20 points.
Oklahoma City shot 45% from the field and made 11 threes at a 36.7% clip. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 12 points in the 3rd quarter, while Hartenstein added 10 in the 4th.
Looking to improve your odds? Check out this betting tips guide.
The Thunder’s defense was strong on Saturday, holding the Rockets to just 96 points in a 111-96 win. Oklahoma City gave up 20 points in the 1st quarter and 22 in the 2nd, before allowing 27 points in both the 3rd and 4th quarters.
Oklahoma City held Houston to 36% shooting from the field, including just 23% from three-point range, with the Rockets making only 11 threes. The Thunder also recorded 12 steals and 4 blocks in the game.
- The Thunder are 3-2 ATS in their last road games and 4-1 straight-up.
- Looking back on the team’s last ten games as the favorite, the Thunder have a straight up record of 9-1. Their record vs the spread in these games was 7-3.
- Over their last five games, the Thunder have an over/under record of 2-3 and are 5-0 vs. the spread.
The Magic Can Win If…
The Magic fell to 17-11 on the season after a 100-91 loss to the Knicks on Sunday. Orlando, who were +4.5 point underdogs, couldn’t cover the spread at home. The game’s total points of 191 were well below the 213.5 O/U line.
After a 22-22 first quarter, the Knicks pulled ahead with a 29-19 second quarter. Orlando narrowed the gap by outscoring New York 26-24 in the third, but the Knicks edged them 25-24 in the final quarter.
In their 100-91 loss to the Knicks, the Magic struggled offensively, shooting just 41.9% from the field and hitting 30% from beyond the arc, with only 9 made threes. Moritz Wagner was a bright spot, leading the team with 32 points and 6 rebounds, connecting on 57.1% of his threes and shooting 66.7% overall.
Tristan Da Silva added 20 points, shooting 52.9% from the field and hitting 2 threes at 40%. Jalen Suggs contributed 8 assists, but shot just 21.1% from the floor, finishing with 9 points.
Despite a strong defensive effort, the Magic couldn’t come away with the win, allowing 100 points to the Knicks. Orlando gave up 29 points in the 2nd quarter but held New York to 24 points in the 3rd.
The Magic struggled to defend the three, with the Knicks hitting 10 threes at a 41% clip. Orlando also sent New York to the line 30 times, where they made 24 free throws.
- When looking at their past five home matchups, Orlando has an ATS record of 2-3 while averaging 103 per game. The team went 2-3 overall in these games.
- Going back to their previous three games as the underdog, Orlando has an ATS mark of 1-2 while going 0-3 straight up.
- In their last three games, the Magic have an over/under record of 2-1 and are 2-1 vs. the spread.
The Lean
We’re calling a win for the Thunder, with a final score of 115-86, and we’re taking them to cover the spread. Our recommendation is to bet on the Thunder at -6.5.
As for the over/under, the the line is currently at 209.5, and our model projects the Thunder and Magic to reach a combined total of 201 points. Our bet is on taking the under.
Thunder Look to Regain Momentum Against Magic
The Oklahoma City Thunder will aim to shake off their NBA Cup disappointment as they visit the Orlando Magic on Thursday night. Both teams are navigating unique challenges, with the Thunder looking to extend their success and the Magic adjusting to life without their top scorers.
Thunder Moving Forward After NBA Cup Loss
Oklahoma City made an impressive run to the NBA Cup Final but fell short against the Milwaukee Bucks, losing 97-81 on Tuesday in Las Vegas. Despite the loss, the Thunder’s five-game winning streak remains intact as the game didn’t affect regular-season standings.
The Thunder struggled offensively against Milwaukee, shooting just 33.7 percent from the field and a meager 15.6 percent from 3-point range.
“It was a tough night offensively,” said Thunder coach Mark Daigneault. “We didn’t score nearly enough points to give ourselves a chance to win. But we can learn from it and move forward.”
While the loss stung, Daigneault emphasized the value of the experience:
“Being in these situations has helped us grow. Now we’ve got to take these lessons and head into the rest of the season.”
Thunder’s Key Players
Oklahoma City is powered by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is averaging 30.3 points per game, third best in the NBA. Jalen Williams, averaging 21.7 points, provides additional offensive firepower.
The Thunder have already beaten Orlando this season, earning a 102-86 victory on Nov. 4. They’ll look to replicate that success as they continue a 13-day stretch without a home game.
Magic Navigating Injuries
The Orlando Magic are facing a tough stretch without their two top scorers, Paolo Banchero (29 points per game) and Franz Wagner (24.4). Banchero hasn’t played since Oct. 30, while Wagner has been sidelined since Dec. 6—both due to oblique injuries.
In their absence, Jalen Suggs (16.3 ppg) and Moritz Wagner (13.4) have stepped up, but Orlando has lost two straight games.
Wagner emphasized the need for a collective mindset adjustment:
“This is a game of energy. When you put your energy in the right place, good stuff will happen. We’ve got to mature a little bit as a group. With our best two players out, everybody gets an opportunity to play, and we’ve got to appreciate that.”
Defensive Battle
Both teams boast stingy defenses, surrendering an average of 103.5 points per game, the best in the NBA. However, the Thunder hold the edge offensively, averaging 115.6 points per game compared to Orlando’s 107.1.
Key Matchups
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander vs. Jalen Suggs
Gilgeous-Alexander’s ability to score at will and create opportunities for teammates will test Suggs and the Magic’s perimeter defense. Suggs must balance his offensive responsibilities while trying to slow one of the league’s top scorers.
Stay Ahead with Expert NBA Picks! Explore our NBA basketball expert picks and bet with confidence.
Jalen Williams vs. Magic’s Frontcourt
Williams will look to exploit the Magic’s depleted lineup and continue his efficient scoring. The Magic will need contributions from Moritz Wagner and other role players to match Oklahoma City’s firepower.
What’s at Stake
For the Thunder, this game represents an opportunity to bounce back from their NBA Cup loss and maintain their position atop the Western Conference.
For the Magic, it’s a chance to regroup and show resilience despite missing their key players. A win against the league’s top team could reignite their season.
The Bottom Line
The Thunder have the momentum and depth to capitalize on the Magic’s injuries, but Orlando’s defense and young contributors could make this a closer game than expected. As both teams continue to navigate their challenges, Thursday’s matchup promises to be a compelling clash of defensive powerhouses.