Magic vs Raptors Picks and Predictions: Toronto Finding Its Home Footing

Former Florida foes will renew acquaintances further north on Friday, as the Orlando Magic take their 1-4 record to face the 2-3 Toronto Raptors. Toronto has struggled in its return to Canada thus far, starting 0-3 at home before picking up a win on Wednesday. Now, the Raps can make it two in a row against a youthful Magic squad. 

Though both teams are in varying degrees of a rebuild, Toronto is an 8-point NBA betting home favorite. Find out which side we like with our best free picks and predictions for Magic vs. Raptors on October 29.

Magic vs Raptors odds

Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.

The line in Toronto for Friday opened at Raptors -8, while the total hit the board at 210 at most books, with some offering up to 211.5. Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until tip-off and be sure to check out the full NBA odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.

Magic vs Raptors predictions

• Prediction: Raptors -8 (-110)
• Prediction: Under 210 (-110)
• Best bet: Mo Bamba Over 23.5 points+assists+rebounds (-122)

Predictions made on 10/28/2021 at 4:30 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.

Magic vs Raptors game info

• Location: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
• Date: Friday, October 29, 2021
• Tip-off: 7:00 p.m. ET
• TV: Sportsnet, BSFL

Magic vs Raptors betting preview

Injuries

Magic: E'Twaun Moore SG (Out), Chuma Okeke PF (Out), Markelle Fultz PG (Out), Jonathan Isaac PF (Out), Michael Carter-Williams PG (Out).
Raptors: Yuta Watanabe SG (Questionable), Pascal Siakam PF (Out).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.

Betting trend to know

The Magic are 0-6 ATS in their last six games in Toronto. Find more NBA betting trends for Magic vs. Raptors.

Magic vs Raptors picks and predictions

Our predictions are compiled from the analysis of the spread and total and are indications of where we are leaning for this game.
Our best bet is the play that we like the most for this game, which we would actually put some of our bankroll behind.

Spread analysis

Not all bad teams are created equally, and Friday night in Toronto will be a good example of that. On a league-wide scale, both the Raptors and Magic are bad teams. However, relative to one another, it's Orlando who is truly bad. 

The Raptors, assuming Pascal Siakam returns close to his expected timeframe, should be a competitive team most nights and perhaps push for a play-in spot, depending on how the Eastern Conference plays out this season. Even without Siakam, Toronto has been competitive in every game this season, with the exception of a flat opening night. They blew out the Pacers and Celtics, wins that sandwiched close losses to the Bulls (three points) and the Mavericks (eight points).

Though Toronto is a team in transition and currently without its best player, it's a roster filled with players that range from useful to above-average starters, with Goran Dragic, Fred VanVleet, Gary Trent Jr., and OG Anunoby all good enough to play in eight-man rotations across the league, while Chris Boucher, Precious Achiuwa, and Scottie Barnes are exciting young players with ceilings yet to be defined. 

Then there's the Magic who, while not short on exciting young players themselves, are downright bad. Right there with the Thunder as the most talent-poor team in the NBA, Orlando hasn't even been competitive in its four losses this year, with an average margin of defeat of 19.25. The Magic are, by most metrics, a bottom-five team on both ends of the floor and are prioritizing development over everything. 

While that philosophy is the correct one and conducive to long-term success, it isn't conducive to competitiveness on a night-to-night basis. As such, take Toronto to cover. 

Prediction: Raptors -8 (-110)

Over/Under analysis

Here we have two offenses struggling mightily in the half-court and largely failing to create easy looks at the basket. The Magic are, rightfully, fully leaning into the rookie point guard experience, but that comes with a healthy dose of struggles. 

Jalen Suggs is averaging just 4.3 assists per 36 minutes, turning the ball over at the same rate. His partner in the backcourt, Cole Anthony, has a better assist-to-turnover ratio at 2.07, with his 5.8 assists per game leading the team, harkening back to the glory days of Shelvin Mack. 

At just 44.3 percent, Orlando has the 10th fewest unassisted two-point makes as it endures growing pains. All told, the Magic are averaging the third-fewest points per game and hitting the fourth-lowest percentage of shots in the NBA, with sixth man Terrence Ross their only established shot-maker.

Things aren't much better as the Raptors have begun Life After Lowry about as well one would have expected, and their struggles have been amplified as their best isolation scorer in Siakam has remained sidelined. The Raptors have the second-worst team shooting percentage in the league and are scoring at the eighth-lowest rate. Toronto is 26th in the NBA in assisted field goals, as a once beautiful offense has grown stagnant without Lowry. 

With two poor shooting, static offenses coming together, we're going Under the total. 

Prediction: Under 210 (-110)

Best bet

Queue up Sheck Wes, because the Mo Bamba breakout is real. Between a new head coach in Jamahl Mosley willing to actually play young players and a promising preseason, there was hope the former lottery pick would be able to establish himself in year four. 

Through five games, that has proven true. Bamba has already tied his career-high for starts in a season, as the Magic have gone big with Bamba and Wendall Carter Jr. starting at the four and five. As a starter, Bamba has been averaging 13.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game while adding in 1.6 blocks, all of which are, as expected, career highs. 

Bamba should be able to fill up the stat sheet a little more than usual against a Toronto team that lacks size and has struggled to defend against it this season. Plus, Bamba maybe a little more motivated playing against former teammate Khem Birch, who played a part in his limited minutes previously in his career.

Pick: Mo Bamba Over 23.5 points + assists + rebounds (-122)

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