The Toronto Raptors host the shorthanded Orlando Magic on Tuesday night.
The pregame narrative: Paolo Banchero is back but on a minutes restriction. With three Magic starters sidelined, back Toronto to cover an alternate spread while fading Bachero’s point total. A prop bet on Gradey Dick rounds out this +290 wager.
Check out my Magic vs. Raptors SGP & predictions for Jan. 21.
Raptors vs. Magic SGP & predictions:
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Parlay: Raptors +5.5 + Banchero under 24.5 points + Dick over 1.5 threes (+290)
Raptors +5.5 (-200): This seems like a safe number to back Toronto at on Tuesday.
Jalen Suggs, Gogo Bitadze, and both Wagner brothers are out while Banchero hasn’t reached 30 minutes of playing time in a game since returning on Jan. 10.
Meanwhile, the Raptors will field a full squad except Immanuel Quickley, who has barely played this season and is currently dealing with a hip injury.
Toronto has been a profitable team ATS despite its horrible record. In other words, the Raps have mastered every tanking GM’s dream, with the “competitive defeat:”
- 10-32 record
- 23-18-1 ATS record
- 13-5-1 ATS record as a home underdog
Darko Rajakovic’s team has won two straight home games against quality opponents in the Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors. I think another win is in the cards for Toronto, but will buy some points just to be safe.
SGP legs
Banchero under 24.5 points (-127): The Magic are in a tough spot. They need Banchero to produce but can’t be too aggressive with his workload.
The third-year forward has played five games this month and fallen under this number in four of them. He’s not playing a ton — just 27.6 minutes a night — and shooting an uninspiring 42.4% from the field.
And the Raptors won’t be an easy matchup for him.
Toronto owns the league’s ninth-best mid-range defence, according to Cleaning the Glass. Banchero took 43% of his shots from that area of the court last season, ranking in the 91st percentile of all NBA players.
Dick over 1.5 threes (-175): Orlando’s defence is elite, but I still like Dick to nab a couple of 3s.
- Dick went 0-for-5 from deep in his last outing on Jan. 17 but cleared this mark in his three games prior.
- He’s hit at least one 3-pointer in eight of nine games this month, going 6-3 against this line.
The Magic give up the fewest 3-pointers per game (11.1) while also allowing the 10th-highest 3-point rate (36.4%).
Teams don’t attempt many 3s against the Magic — but when they do, they’re cashing them.
Picks made at 11 a.m. ET on 01/21/2025.
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Avery joined NorthStar Gaming as an intern in 2022 before stepping into a full-time role soon after. He loves betting on and analyzing golf — mainly because it’s easier than actually playing — but is a fan of all sports, from the NFL to the UFC.