Raptors vs Magic Prediction, Picks & Odds for tonight’s NBA game

Despite an ugly national record, the Toronto Raptors have shown signs of life at Scotiabank Arena and will be looking for a third straight home win tonight against the slumping Orlando Magic.

With Orlando’s injury-plagued season slipping off the rails, my Raptors vs. Magic predicts that an improved Toronto team will push the visitors all the way. Check out my NBA picks for this game on January 21st.

Raptors vs Magic prediction

My Raptors pick
Scottie Barnes Over 7.5 assists (+210 at PointsBet Canada)

My analysis

The Toronto Raptors’ hopes of a quick return to Eastern Conference relevance continue to hinge on Scottie Barnes — and he made his mark in the team’s statement wins over the Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics last week before a tough shooting night in Milwaukee on Friday.

Even in the losing efforts, Barnes is putting up impressive numbers and I’m bullish on his assist total tonight. He has dished out 19 dimes over his last two outings and has finished with eight or more assists in three of his last five games.

With Immanuel Quickley still sidelined by a hip injury, Barnes’ share of the ball-handling duties should remain high, which bodes well in a Toronto offense that ranks 12th in the league in field goals made and field goals attempted per game.

Barnes is ready to be the setup man here for RJ Barrett, Gradey Dick and Jakob Poeltl, and he will also be charged with guiding Darko Rajakovic’s bench-heavy groups along with Jamal Shead.

Although the Orlando Magic are allowing the second-fewest points per game. game in the NBA this season (104.3), they have lost five of their last six contests while allowing more than 120 points in two of those setbacks. And without Jalen Suggs, keeping whistle threats out of the paint has proven more challenging.

When Barnes is in the mood he was in the two home wins last week, he can be the best player on the field. I expect him to bring the energy early in this one en route to another big playmaking night, and these plus odds for over 7.5 assists are too good to walk away from.

Raptors vs Magic parlay in same game

Scottie Barnes Over 7.5 assists

Raptors money line

Paolo Banchero Over 19.5 points

Toronto’s home record looks a little healthier these days at 9-13, and I’m encouraged by the relentless effort we saw last week, especially in suppressing the full-strength Celtics. That’s enough to add the Raptors moneyline to my SGP and figure Orlando’s offense will struggle again.

Without Suggs and Franz Wagner, the Magic rely on backups in extended roles, and the visitors have covered the 1H spread in just 38 of their last 90 games. As strange as this feels to say, Toronto’s starting 5 brings more offensive juice.

I’m also going over this adjusted Paolo Banchero point plug. He is the clear no. 1 option for Orlando, and he has averaged 25.2 PPG in his 10 outings this season.

Banchero was held to just 10 points against the Denver Nuggets over the weekend, but he has scored at least 20 points in his four other contests since returning from a torn oblique, and there are some favorable matchups to attack within the Raptors’ shaky defense.

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