Magic vs Raptors Prediction, Odds & Betting Tips – NBA 31 October

The Toronto Raptors beat the Orlando Magic by 30 points just two days ago. Now, they meet again at Scotiabank Arena at 12:30pm NZT on Saturday 31 October in this NBA Cup group game. 

Kawhi Leonard is still out for Toronto. Orlando have it worse without Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs, and Toronto are favourites again across the NBA betting NZ markets. I’m not expecting a different result.

Odds from Sportaza, correct at 3:00pm NZT, 29 October. Subject to change.

Orlando Magic

Last 4: L-W-L-L · Record: 1-3 · ATS: 1-3

Orlando turned it over 20 times on Wednesday, and Franz Wagner was responsible for seven of them. He’s their go-to scorer with Banchero out, but he only made four of his 11 shots.

Desmond Bane wasn’t much better at 3-for-14.

I’d give Tristan da Silva more of the ball. He scored 20 on 8-for-10 shooting off the bench, and he was the only Magic player who looked comfortable on that floor.

Toronto Raptors

Last 4: W-L-W-W · Record: 3-1 · ATS: 3-1

I wrote Toronto off a little after their 117-94 loss in Minnesota, where Scottie Barnes went 0-for-12. He answered with 28 points against Orlando, while RJ Barrett added 25. Their defence is what I trust most with Leonard out, and their 15 steals on Wednesday turned into 20 points. My only worry is a lookahead, as this is their last game before a trip to Los Angeles.

(1) Banchero suffered a low-grade right high ankle sprain late in the loss to Minnesota and is expected to miss four to six weeks.
(2) Suggs bruised his right knee late in the win over the Knicks and is expected to miss at least two weeks.
(3) Isaac is out for left knee injury management.
(4) Penda has a partially torn right hamstring.
(5) Nelson is still recovering from a left ankle injury.
(6) Leonard has swelling in his left knee. An MRI found no structural damage, but he’s expected to miss the next few weeks.
(7) Bittle has an avulsion fracture in his right foot and is week-to-week.
(8) Hepburn was listed as questionable with a hamstring injury before Wednesday and didn’t play. His status for Saturday hasn’t been confirmed.

If Suggs were fit, I’d be a lot less confident about Toronto covering, as he’s Orlando’s best defender on the perimeter.

This is the second of four regular-season meetings, after Toronto took last season’s series 2-1.

• Player trend – Ja’Kobe Walter has 36 points across the two games Leonard has missed.
• Away trend – Orlando have lost their last three games in Toronto by a combined 83 points.
• Totals trend – Wednesday’s 228 points went over the 223.5 total.
• Defence trend – Orlando have given up 115 points or more in three of their four games.

I expect a slower, cleaner game this time. Orlando won’t give the ball away 20 times again, and fewer turnovers mean fewer easy baskets for Toronto, so the Under 226.5 appeals. If you’d rather see how it starts, the best live betting sites will have it priced after the first quarter.

I still want Toronto, though not by 30. They have the healthier roster and the home floor, and Orlando’s guards haven’t given me any reason to think they can handle the pressure without Suggs. Blowouts rarely repeat two nights later, and that’s my biggest doubt.

My prediction: Raptors 115-107.

Raptors -3.5 Line – $1.91

Sportaza have Toronto at -3.5 for $1.91, and I’d get on before that line moves. Wednesday’s game was 33 points at its widest, and Orlando still don’t have Suggs or Banchero.

Toronto have covered in three of their four games, and they only need to win by four. Check Sportaza’s betting promotions too, as a deposit bonus gives you a bit more to play with on a Saturday card.

Play to: $1.80

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