The Denver Nuggets recently went through a three-game losing streak but responded in spectacular fashion, winning their last four matchups. Ahead of this game, they delivered a dominant 144-119 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans, improving their record to 32-19 and securing fourth place in the Western Conference standings.
Despite a short rotation and frequent absences of key players from the starting lineup, Denver continues to find ways to win, with Nikola Jokic playing a pivotal role in their success. Against the Pelicans, Jokic put on another outstanding performance, scoring 38 points while adding 10 assists and eight rebounds. This time, he had significant support from Michael Porter Jr., who delivered one of the best games of his career. Porter finished with 39 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists while shooting an impressive 15/23 from the field. The Pelicans held their ground until early in the third quarter, leading 72-68, but from that point on, the Nuggets completely took control. Christian Braun also contributed with 23 points, while Jamal Murray, despite playing 35 minutes, attempted only seven shots, making five of them. His ability to recognize the hot hands on the team and avoid forcing unnecessary shots—a tendency he has struggled with at times this season—deserves recognition. Denver currently boasts the fourth-best offensive rating in the NBA, averaging 119.8 points per 100 possessions. However, their defense remains a concern, as they rank just 20th in the league in defensive efficiency.
In this matchup, the Nuggets must find a way to adapt to the Magic’s aggressive and physical playing style. Controlling the boards will be crucial, along with ensuring a fluid ball movement to create open three-point opportunities. Given that Orlando struggles in defending the perimeter, Denver has a clear chance to exploit this weakness and gain an advantage.
The Orlando Magic have been struggling lately, as evidenced by their disappointing record of just two wins in their last 10 games. However, they managed to break a four-game losing streak with a commanding 130-111 victory over the Sacramento Kings. This win improved their record to 25-27, keeping them in eighth place in the Eastern Conference standings.
It’s quite remarkable that despite winning only twice in their last 10 games, Orlando remains in the playoff zone and still has a realistic chance to climb even higher in the standings. For instance, the Indiana Pacers currently sit fourth in the East with just four more wins than the Magic, meaning the race is still wide open. Injuries have been a significant challenge for Orlando this season, with Moe Wagner ruled out for the rest of the campaign and key players Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, and Jalen Suggs missing several games. Against the Kings, Franz Wagner led the way with 31 points, five rebounds, and three assists, while Banchero contributed 23 points and nine rebounds, shooting 9/15 from the field. The key to Orlando’s dominant win over Sacramento was their exceptional three-point shooting—an area that has been one of their biggest weaknesses this season. They connected on 16 of 31 attempts from beyond the arc, likely their best shooting performance of the season. Statistically, the Magic have the second-worst offensive rating in the NBA, averaging just 107.7 points per 100 possessions, ahead of only the Washington Wizards. However, their defense remains their greatest strength, ranking third in the league in defensive rating.
Against the Nuggets, Orlando must rely on its elite defense to limit Nikola Jokic’s impact in the paint. Controlling the boards, minimizing turnovers, and maintaining a respectable three-point shooting efficiency—similar to their performance against the Kings—could give them a real chance to pull off an upset.
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Denver Nuggets vs Orlando Magic H2H
The Denver Nuggets won their last matchup against the Orlando Magic with a score of 113-110, but prior to that, the Florida-based team had a three-game winning streak in their head-to-head encounters.
Absences and Injuries
DaRon Holmes, Vlatko Cancar, Russell Westbrook, and Peyton Watson will not be available for the Denver Nuggets. On the other side, Moe Wagner and Mac McClung are ruled out for the Orlando Magic, while Jalen Suggs is listed as questionable.
Denver Nuggets vs Orlando Magic Prediction
The Denver Nuggets are in excellent form, but it’s important to note that they haven’t had much success against the Orlando Magic in recent matchups. Additionally, this is a back-to-back game for both teams, and given Denver’s short rotation, it’s difficult to expect them to justify their status as favorites with a dominant victory. Orlando Magic recently ended their losing streak with a win over the Sacramento Kings ahead of this matchup, so they are expected to put up a strong fight. With Denver dealing with fatigue and a limited roster, the Magic have a good chance to keep the game close and avoid a double-digit defeat.
Tip-off Time: Thursday, 9:00 p.m. EST, February 6th Prediction: Orlando Magic +10.5 Odds: -143 (1.70 decimal) Sportsbook: MyBookie
*Odds are active at the time the article is published
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