Orlando Magic vs. Denver Nuggets Preview, Picks and Prediction, Thursday, December 18, 2025
Use Code WWWC On Thursday, the Orlando Magic will face the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena in an East vs. West matchup, and we have you ready to go with our Magic vs. Nuggets prediction, odds, and preview. Tip-off from Denver, CO, is at 9:00 p.m. ET.
The Nuggets are 7.5-point spread favorites, and the game total is 235.5 points scored.
This is the first matchup of the season between these NBA teams. Denver is 6-4 straight-up and 3-7 against the spread in the previous ten matchups. The over was 6-4 in those games. If you want the Magic vs. Nuggets prediction, read on to get our top NBA predictions and increase your bankroll!
Magic have struggled ATS recently
Orlando (15-11 SU, 12-14 ATS, and 14-12 O/U) lost 132-120 to New York in NBA Cup action in its last game (Dec. 13). The Magic shot 46 percent overall, including 31 percent from deep, and turned the basketball over 14 times. The Knicks were red-hot offensively, shooting 61 percent from the field and scoring 70 points in the paint.
Get Free $30 Credit for Premium Picks + Exclusive Discounts
Subscribe Now
Franz Wagner leads the Magic in scoring this season, averaging 22.7 points with 6.1 rebounds per game. A few other Magic players to watch against the Nuggets are F Paolo Banchero (20.5 PPG and 7.9 RPG), G Desmond Bane (19.0 PPG and 4.6 APG), and C Wendell Carter Jr. (11.8 PPG and 7.6 RPG).
The Magic score 117.9 points per game (14th) on 47.1 percent shooting (13th), while their opponents average 114.1 points (8th) on 47.6 percent shooting (19th). Orlando ranks 6th in NET rating, including 11th in offensive rating and 2nd in defensive rating, per Dunks and Threes.
Orlando Magic Injury Report:
- Wagner and G G Jalen Suggs (15.4 PPG, 4.8 APG, and 1.9 SPG) are out.
Nuggets are on a hot streak
Denver (19-6 SU, 15-19 ATS, and 17-8 O/U) defeated Houston 128-125 in overtime in its previous game (Dec. 15). The Nuggets shot 51 percent from the floor, including 15-for-34 from beyond the arc, and knocked down 27 of their 33 free throws. They were outrebounded and outscored in the paint, but won the turnover battle in the competitive affair.
C Nikola Jokic leads Denver in scoring at 29.8 points per game on 61.3 percent shooting. He also averages 12.4 rebounds and 10.8 assists. A few other Nuggets to watch against the Magic are G Jamal Murray (24.9 PPG and 6.8 APG), G Tim Hardaway Jr. (12.2 PPG), and F Cameron Johnson (11.4 PPG).
Denver scores 125.6 points per game (1st) and shoots 51.6 percent from the field (1st), including 40.0 percent from beyond the arc (2nd). The Nuggets give up 116.2 points per game (16th) on 46.6 percent shooting (13th), including 34.2 percent from downtown (5th). They are 4th in NET rating, including 1st in offensive rating and 17th in defensive rating, per Dunks and Threes.
Denver Nuggets Injury Report:
- F Aaron Gordon (18.8 PPG and 5.9 RPG) is out, and G Peyton Watson (10.5 PPG and 4.8 RPG) is questionable.
Magic vs. Nuggets Pick and Preview
Spread Pick for Magic vs. Nuggets
- Denver -7.5 (5 Units)
The Nuggets are already hot, and now they get to face an offensively average Magic team playing without their leading scorer. The visitors will be without two of their stars and enter this matchup without momentum, averaging 111.0 points in their previous five games. They are just 1-5 ATS in their last six games, too. Denver is an offensive juggernaut playing with a couple of days of rest and a five-game winning streak against its back. The NBA's most efficient offensive team will dominate Orlando inside the arc (13th in opponent 2PT% and 14th in opponent rim FG%). They won by double digits in both matchups with the Magic last season, and I predict a similar outcome in Thursday's game.
Over/Under Pick for Magic vs. Nuggets
- Under 235.5 (5 Units)
The totals finished comfortably under this number in both matchups between these teams last season, as the Nuggets won 113-100 on the road and 112-90 at home. Denver covered the spread as 6.0-point and 7.5-point favorites in those games without pushing the total over. Given Orlando's inefficient offensive production (20th in effective FG%) and injuries, the 235.5-point total is far too high. Denver will slow down the tempo (23rd in pace) at home to reduce the Magic's possession count. The Nuggets will score enough to win and cover, but they'll fall short of their season average against one of the league's top defenses.
Never Tried Winners and Whiners? Now Is Your Chance
- Get your first daily picks package for ONLY $1 using coupon code DOLLAR
- If the pick loses, we credit your account with 3 Flex Picks
- If the pick wins, we still give you 1 Flex Pick on the house
- Win or lose, you walk away ahead. One dollar. No catch.
- Check out more NBA predictions
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
New Users – Bet $5 Get $200 in Bet Reset Tokens for 5 Days
