Orlando looks to cover the Magic-Rockets pointspread on Friday and improve its overall 16-42 mark when they host Houston in NBA action.

The Magic sit at 16-42 (25-33 ATS) on the season; in comparison, the Rockets are currently 31-28 (32-26-1 ATS). Looking to wager on the totals? Orlando is 31-26-1 OU, and Houston is 32-27 OU. (Note: follow us on Twitter for line updates and injuries news).



View Houston vs Orlando Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
Bettors looking to side with the Magic in this one found them as 8.5-point underdogs earlier at Sportsbook, while the total had been sitting in the area of 214 at Sportsbook.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
According to new Power Rankings at Odds Shark, it's the No. 26-rated Magic and the No. 8-rated Rockets in this matchup. Predictive computer formulas point to a 104-95 win for the Rockets on Friday.



How They Match Up:
In rebounding, the battle of the boards features Orlando's No. 13-rated squad against Houston's No. 11-rated roster. When it comes to long-range shooting, Orlando rates No. 21 in the league with 6.4 per game, while their foes tonight rank No. 2 with 10.5 per outing.

Defensively, the Rockets feature the league's No. 23-rated defense on the road, giving up 102.9 points per game. Orlando, meanwhile, comes in at No. 25 in the league in scoring at home.

Houston lost its last outing, a 110-107 result against the Bucks on February 27. The Rockets failed to cover in that game as a 9-point favorite, while the 217 combined points took the game UNDER the total. The Rockets wasted a 25-point performance from James Harden as Milwaukee ran past them 110-107 on Wednesday at Toyota Center.

The Magic were a 125-101 loser in their most recent outing at home against the Kings. They failed to cover the 2-point spread as favorites, while the total score (226) made winners of OVER bettors. Orlando was crushed on Wednesday, getting run out of the gym by Sacramento and falling 125-101 at Amway Center.


Houston Rockets Trends:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Dallas are 6-4
After playing Milwaukee are 8-2
After a loss are 6-4

Orlando Magic Trends:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
Before playing Memphis are 6-4
After playing Sacramento are 8-2
After a loss are 2-8

A few Rockets at Magic trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston's last 5 games
Houston is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Orlando
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston's last 6 games when playing Orlando
Houston is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Orlando is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Houston
The total has gone OVER in 12 of Orlando's last 17 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Orlando's last 6 games when playing Houston
Orlando is 6-13 ATS in its last 19 games when playing Houston


Next up:
Houston home to Dallas, Sunday, March 3
Orlando home to Memphis, Sunday, March 3