Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the NBA Summer League match.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have made a confident start to the NBA Summer League. They have already played five games in the preliminary phase, winning three of them, including a victory over the Indiana Pacers — their opponents in the title clash just a month ago. The Orlando Magic, by contrast, have yet to register a win; however, two narrow losses suggest the team is putting up a fight in every outing.
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic opened their campaign with back-to-back defeats against the Sacramento Kings (81:84) and the Toronto Raptors (86:89). Despite these results, they have showcased a well-organised defence, although offensive struggles persist. The Magic average just 83.5 points per game — ranking 29th in the tournament — and sit last in field goal attempts, with only 66 per contest. French forward Noah Penda put in a strong performance on the boards with 14 rebounds, but overall, the roster lacks depth. The youthful squad is struggling under psychological pressure, which may prove decisive against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder have impressed early on, securing convincing wins over the Indiana Pacers (104:85) and the Brooklyn Nets (90:81), while shooting 53.9% from the field and 40.7% from beyond the arc. Ajay Mitchell, Chris Youngblood, and Nikola Topic have each averaged double-digit scoring in the tournament, while Dutch player Malevy Leons posted a double-double against the Indiana Pacers. Defensively, the Thunder have also been solid, conceding over 90 points in only one of their five Summer League fixtures.
Orlando Magic vs Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction
The Orlando Magic possess some defensive potential, but their offensive shortcomings are too significant to ignore. In this context, the Oklahoma City Thunder are expected to finish the job efficiently. They are backed to defeat the Magic, covering a modest spread.
