Tonight at the Kia Center in Orlando, the Oklahoma City Thunder (53-15) face the Orlando Magic (38-28) in a cross-conference matchup.
The Thunder continue to show why they have the NBA's best record, currently on an eight-game winning streak. With a win tonight, the Thunder will become the first team to clinch a playoff spot.
The Magic are playing their best basketball at the right time; Orlando was on a season-high seven-game winning streak before Monday's loss to the Hawks.
The Thunder are 9.5-point favorites on the spread vs. the Magic for tonight’s game at 7 p.m. ET.
Below, we’ll break down our Thunder vs. Magic prediction and picks for the Tuesday, March 17 game. Make your NBA picks on PrizePicks and earn real money if you’re right, including on game winners, spreads, and totals!
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Thunder vs. Magic Prediction, Spread, Over/Under – Tuesday, March 17
The Oklahoma City Thunder are holding onto the best record in the NBA, but that position is not completely secure, as the San Antonio Spurs are only three games behind them for the No. 1 seed in the West.
There hasn't been regression from the defending champions; in each of the last two seasons, the Thunder ranked in the top five in points per game and led in defensive efficiency.
Thunder PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander could win back-to-back NBA MVPs. According to PrizePicks Team Picks, SGA is the favorite to win the award with a 1.09x return.
The key to SGA’s success is consistency, and he’s on an impressive run with an NBA record of 128 straight games scoring 20 or more points — an NBA record.
The Magic are heating up at the right time, as their current seven-game winning streak has moved them from the Play-In Tournament into the playoff race in the East. Since March 3, during this recent hot streak, the Magic offense ranks third at 125.0 points per game.
We’re seeing PF Paolo Banchero lead the Magic, as his 25.9 points per game during this stretch rank 11th in the NBA.
Thunder vs. Magic Spread, Over/Under, Winner Payout
The Orlando Magic enter Tuesday’s game as 9.5-point home underdog, returning a 4.54x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if they win outright.
The Thunder are road favorites with a 1.219x payout if it wins, via PrizePicks Team Picks, where you can earn money with your picks in 35 states.
- Spread: Thunder -9.5 (1.78x payout)
- Over/Under: 223.5 (1.81x payout on over)
- Game Winner Payout: Thunder - 1.19x | Magic- 4.16x
Team Picks data is live at the time of writing and is subject to change.
Thunder vs. Magic Prediction – 3/17/26
Here are the key stats to know before locking in your Thunder vs. Magic prediction on SPREAD OR OVER/UNDER for Tuesday, March 17 on PrizePicks.
- The Thunder rank third in the league on defense, allowing 38.4 field goals per game.
- The Magic are allowing 11.7 three-pointers made per game, the fewest in the NBA.
- The Thunder are 16-16 against the spread as the away team.
- Orlando is 12-11 against the spread as an underdog.
- OKC plays higher-scoring games on the road, going over the total in 18 of 32 games.
Thunder vs. Magic Injury Report for March 17
Let’s dive into the full Thunder vs. Magic injury report for Tuesday, via NBA.com.
Oklahoma City Thunder Injury Report
- C Branden Carlson (back) - OUT
- SG/PF Jalen Williams (hamstring) - OUT
Orlando Magic Injury Report
- PF Jonathan Isaac (knee) – OUT
- G Anthony Black (abdomen) – OUT
- SF Franz Wagner (ankle sprain/injury management) – OUT
Thunder vs. Magic Picks for PrizePicks Today: 3/16/26
Here are the top Thunder vs. Magic picks to target for Tuesday, March 17, on PrizePicks. Thunder PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and PF Paolo Banchero headline today’s NBA picks for PrizePicks.
Thunder PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Projection vs. Magic: 39.5 Pts+Asts
- Gilgeous-Alexander is second in the NBA, averaging 31.6 points per game.
- SGA has recorded 30+ points in two of his last three games.
- The Canadian guard has recorded nine or more assists in three straight games.
- Since February 1, the MVP candidate is third in the league with 9.2 assists per game.
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Magic PF Paolo Banchero Projection vs. Thunder: 29.5 Pts+Rebs
- OKC has allowed the tenth-fewest points to power forwards (20.9) since February 9.
- Banchero has not exceeded his Pts+Rebs total in 12 of his last 15 home games.
- The 2022 No. 1 overall pick’s 3 rebounds in his last game vs. the Thunder is the lowest total this season when playing at least 30 minutes.
Make Your Thunder vs. Magic Prediction on PrizePicks
These two teams are fighting for NBA playoff seeding, making this Thunder vs. Magic game an important game for each team. The Thunder have a three-game lead on the rest of the West, but the Magic are in a six-team mix within two gams of each other,
You can make your Thunder vs. Magic picks on PrizePicks and PrizePicks Team Picks to earn real money tonight. Just pick players, predict More or Less on their projected stats, and cash in if you’re correct. With Team Picks, make predictions on winners, spreads, and over/unders, now available in 35 states.
Stick around with the Playbook for continued NBA predictions, picks, and news every day until the 2026 NBA Finals.
