You would be hard-pressed to find a more surprising start to the season than the one the Orlando Magic are on as they look to remain unbeaten Thursday against the Philadelphia 76ers. The Magic (4-0 SU, 4-0 ATS) are on a tear thanks in large part to a stunningly potent offense, but they'll face a stiff test against a 76ers team (3-1 SU, 2-2 ATS) also off to a strong start.
- Date/Time: December 31, 6:30 p.m. ET
- Arena: Amway Center
- TV Coverage: NBCSP, FSFL
- Sportsbook Odds: 76ers -3 | O/U 218 (Line History)
- 76ers vs Magic Matchup Report
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
Philadelphia opened as a three-point favorite, the fifth time in as many games that the 76ers have been favored this season. The total has remained steady at 218.
Philadelphia News & Notes
If the first four games are any indication, the Sixers are going to be a popular UNDER play during the 2020-21 season. They come into their New Year's Eve encounter ranked third-last in the NBA in scoring average (104.0) and No. 2 in scoring defense (101.8) despite ranking near the middle of the pack in pace. All four of their games have finished below the total.
So is there any value here from a daily fantasy perspective? Players might want to consider small forward Tobias Harris, who has impressed in the early going with 17.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks per game so far. Harris is reasonably priced on the majority of daily fantasy sites, and should thrive against an Orlando team ranks 21st in defense vs. small forwards.
Orlando News & Notes
The Magic are averaging 13 more points through their first four games than they did last year, and they're once again relying on incredible balance to put points on the board. After seeing seven players average in double figures in 2019-20, the Magic have four players at 17.8 points per game or more in the early going this season, led by bench sharpshooter Terrence Ross (21.0).
Your best bet for worthwhile daily fantasy production will likely be via center Nikola Vucevic, who remains one of the most reliable big men in the game. Vucevic comes into Thursday's showdown averaging 20.0 points, 11.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists, with marks of 20.7/12.0/4.0 in three meetings against the Sixers last year. He's priced up a bit, but is an ideal cash game play here.
Betting Pick: UNDER 218 (-110)
We see the Sixers' suffocating defense as more sustainable than the Magic's breakneck offense, and with these teams having cashed the UNDER in five of their last six meetings, there's precedent for a low-scoring affair.
- Philadelphia is 2-5 ATS in its last seven games against Orlando.
- The total has gone OVER in six of Orlando's last seven games.
- The UNDER is 6-0 in Philadelphia's last six games.
