NBA Betting Spread – Orlando Magic vs. Denver Nuggets

Orlando Magic at Denver Nuggets
Wednesday, January 13th – 9:05 PM ET
NBA Betting Point Spread: Denver -5 ½ (210 ½)

The Week That Was: Magic

Coach Stan Van Gundy’s group began the past week with a terrible home loss to the Toronto Raptors. The 108-103 setback on Jan. 6 was partly due to a lousy seven-point performance from former Raptor Vince Carter, and partly due to an anemic defense which allowed every Toronto starter to score in double figures.

On Friday, Jan. 8, the misery continued for the Magic, who dropped a 104-97 decision at Washington. The Wizards had just lost superstar guard Gilbert Arenas due to his suspension, but Orlando couldn’t take advantage. Carter suffered a shoulder injury in this game, while the Magic were outscored by the Wizards at the foul line by a convincing 30-18 margin. Washington used a 33-20 fourth quarter to create a long plane flight back to North Florida.

Just when a tailspin was unfolding, though, the Magic managed to halt their losing skid on Jan. 9, as they used their home court to get health. Orlando hounded the visiting Atlanta Hawks in a 113-81 romp. J.J. Redick scored 17 points in place of the still-injured Carter, while Orlando outscored Atlanta 37-16 in the second quarter. The Magic played late Tuesday night at Sacramento, after this story was written.

The Week That Was: Nuggets

The Nuggets continued to compete with noticeable pride as they waited for superstar Carmelo Anthony to return. Denver – without Anthony – pulled out a stirring 99-97 victory versus Cleveland on Friday, Jan. 8, as forward Kenyon Martin forced turnovers from Cavalier superstar LeBron James on back-to-back possessions late in the fourth quarter. Denver committed seven fewer turnovers than the Cavs, giving up the ball 12 times but forcing 19 turnovers from Team LeBron. Superior defensive energy enabled a frequently lazy team to produce the kind of performance that could very well change its image.

On Jan. 9, a travel-weary Denver roster lost at Sacramento despite another solid effort. Chauncey Billups tied the game at 100-apiece with a jumper at the 11-second mark of regulation time, but when Sacramento’s Tyreke Evans hit a jumper with just 0.7 seconds remaining, the Kings scratched out a 102-100 win over coach George Karl’s crew.

On Monday, Jan. 11, Anthony returned to the lineup and made a difference as Denver topped Minnesota, 105-94. “Melo” scored 10 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter, as the Nuggets avoided a second home loss to the woeful Timberwolves.

Outlook & Pick

The Magic briefly lifted their game against Atlanta, but Orlando’s level of play has dipped dramatically after a strong start in the first month and a half of the regular season. Denver is getting physically healthier, and now that the Nuggets have been able to stay afloat even without their best player, the return of Carmelo Anthony should make Denver even more dangerous. The Nuggets, at home, should flourish against Orlando and continue their upward move in the Western Conference.

Pick: Nuggets (-5 ½)