The Magic don't light up the scoreboard but they should beat the Timberwolves and the Clippers seek to send a message to the Nuggets

1-1 Thursday, 100-95-2 overall.

Timberwolves (+7.5) @ Magic (233.5)

Pick: Under 233.5

What do you get when the hapless Minnesota Timberwolves visit the Orlando Magic with the Magic off a 130-120 victory against the Hawks? The highest total this season in an Orlando game. While most of 2020 hasn’t been kind to the Magic so far, it does appear as if Orlando is finding its footing again after erasing a 20-point deficit against the Nets on Monday to win on the road and beating the Hawks by double digits. However, this is still an Orlando team last in the NBA in points per game averaging just over 104. Defense is not Minnesota’s forte, as the Wolves have allowed at least 115 points in 14 straight games, however, this total just feels too high. The point spread does as well as a good second half against Brooklyn and a victory against Atlanta probably aren’t enough for the Magic to be laying 7.5. But, we feel there’s more wiggle room on the total. As 7.5-point chalk, the Magic should at least win the game tonight. If they do win, do we really expect them to win a shootout? At 233.5, Orlando could extend Minnesota’s streak of allowing at least 115 points, and this game could still land under the total relatively easily. The Magic often play low-scoring games so blindly taking their games under with totals in the 230s makes sense.

Nuggets (+6) @ Clippers (219.5)

Pick: Clippers -6

Memphis and Phoenix aren’t exactly world beaters, but the Clippers beating both of them by double digits this week is telling. We’ve seen Los Angeles literally take nights off at times in the regular season and rest superstar Kawhi Leonard. However, with six weeks left in the regular season, it might be time for the Clippers to turn things up a notch. Trailing the Lakers by seven games in the loss column, I don’t think the Clippers really care about catching their rival for top seed in the West. But the Clippers are neck and neck with Denver for the second seed and would probably love to send a message tonight more than anything else. If the Clippers and Nuggets do meet in the playoffs, regardless of who has homecourt advantage, the Clippers are going to be favored to win the series. They show why tonight.