Game Tonight: OKC Thunder vs Magic odds, game details, predictions, for January 4th

Well now – that sure was a fun Tuesday night, wasn’t it?  With the league’s top team in town and the OKC Thunder entering the match without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander it’s doubtful anyone could’ve projected what occurred.

I messaged some peers advising this match was a perfect sampler for them to watch because it offered such a great example of the young talents on the team.

That’s no shade on SGA who is an unselfish leader who doesn’t occupy the ball to the same degree as say Luka Doncic. Still, without the cornerstone facing the Celtics it forced Thunder players to take on a larger role, and wow, did they ever step up to the challenge!

In a strange twist of fate, the Thunder go from facing the league’s top squad to the team ranked 13th in the East and 26th overall.

OKC will need to exercise caution because this could easily turn into a trap game, especially with the team riding the high of that amazing 150-point effort.

With that let’s dive into the odds, injuries, and game details.

• Scroll down for our Thunder -Magic Prediction and Game Details

OKC Thunder vs Magic Odds, Spread, Over/Under

With several Magic players returning from serving a one-game suspension and the added factor of a rest advantage, the spread favors the Magic by 2.0 points.

The over/under is set at 228.5 points and the moneyline places the Thunder at plus +117 and the Magic at minus -125.

Some other betting notables:

• The OKC Thunder are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games against Orlando.
• The Magic are 10-3 ATS in their last 13 games.
• The OKC Thunder are 8-2 straight-up in their last 10 games against Orlando.
• The Magic are 8-4 straight-up in their last 12 games.
• The OKC Thunder are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games when playing in Orlando.
• The Magic are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games at home.
• The OKC Thunder are 2-7 straight-up in their last 8 games played in January.
• The Magic are 4-14 SU in their last 18 games played in January.
• The total has gone under 4 of OKC’s last 5 games on the road.
• The total has gone over in 12 of Orlando’s last 18 games against Oklahoma City.
• The total has gone over in 6 of Orlando’s last 9 games.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

Injury Report

The OKC Thunder had yet to submit their report but based on Tuesday the presumption is:

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander missed the big night versus the Celtics and is listed as questionable for tonight as he deals with a non-COVID illness.

Aleksej Pokusevsk (left tibial plateau – non-displaced fracture), Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (ankle), and Ousmane Dieng (fractured wrist) will remain out.

Chet Holmgren (foot – Lisfranc fracture) is shut down for the season.

Eugene Omoruyi and Lindy Waters III are  on  G League assignment

Orlando’s list was available via the most recent official NBA injury report:

The injury list for the Magic is insanely long. Entering Wednesday it included 13 players mostly due to the suspensions nine players received for their part in the bench-clearing incident in Detroit.

Because so many players were involved coupled with the players already out the Magic needed to stagger the dates for when the players would serve their penalty.

Five of the nine are expected to return in OKC (Gary Harris, Wendell Carter Jr., Mo Bamba, Cole Anthony, and RJ Hampton) while four more are set to serve their suspension in this game including Mo Wagner, Admiral Schofield, Franz Wagner, and Kevon Harris.

In addition, Bol Bol (quarantine), and Jalen Suggs (ankle) are out Wednesday while Chuma Okeke (knee) and Jonathan Isaac (knee) are out indefinitely.

OKC Thunder vs. Magic prediction

Of all the games on the calendar, this match was one earmarked the day the schedule was released. That’s because it would’ve offered the matchup of Paolo Banchero versus Chet Holmgren.

Sadly, Thunder nation will have to wait until next season to witness that confrontation, but we’ll still get to see the player expected to win Rookie of the Year.

Orlando enters this match with a new-found sense of confidence. The Magic went on a blistering run winning six games in a row and eight of nine with the lone loss coming via a questionable call at game end.

Since that run, the Magic have lost three in a row including the match in Detroit that included the bench-clearing incident and the subsequent loss to the Wizards with the team missing several players who were serving their suspension penalty.

OKC will reap a bit of reward for that fracas as four players including the Wagner brothers won’t be playing tonight.

Still, this team has a host of tall, lanky players with the tallest overall roster although the Thunder aren’t far behind with the third-tallest roster.

That equation flips when comparing the average age with the OKC Thunder having the youngest roster and the Magic the third youngest.

Whether OKC Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander plays or not this game will offer a litmus test for how the roster measures up against another young team positioned to perform well in the coming years.

Albeit I’m not sure after the win Tuesday if this young roster needs any further clarification of their assets. By the same token, just like the Celtics gained confidence and subsequently momentum,  with their victories versus the Celtics the Thunder could use the win in the same manner.

The altercation in Detroit showcased just have tight this young Magic squad is and while it was inappropriate for the players to leave the bench it highlighted an ‘all for one, one for all’ stance. This club is gritty, physical and despite the recent losing streak cannot be underestimated.

A two-point spread isn’t huge considering the Thunder have the rest disadvantage and may not have their star. Regardless, after what we witnessed Tuesday, I have to pick the OKC Thunder to ride that momentum and come away with the victory.

What channel is the Thunder-Magic game on?

Per usual the game will be broadcast on Bally Sports Oklahoma or NBA League Pass. Tip-Off is set for 7:00 p.m. EST (6:00 CT) from the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida.

OKC Thunder vs. Magic Live Stream

If you need a live stream of the event, check out FuboTV for a free trial!

Thunder Next Game and Schedule

This game will complete the back-to-back set the OKC Thunder began versus the Celtics. They’ll return home to host the Wizards and Mavericks this weekend.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.