Minnesota Timberwolves vs Orlando Magic Picks and Predictions for Friday October 23 2026
Minnesota went to Miami Wednesday and won by 25. Anthony Edwards scored 45, the Timberwolves put up 131, and the Heat never really had an answer. Orlando had a rather different opening night. The Magic scored 125 against Atlanta and still lost.
That should make Friday interesting. Orlando have already discovered that scoring plenty doesn’t help much when the other team scores more. Now they’ve got Edwards coming to town after a 45-point night. Good luck with that.
Minnesota visits the Kia Center in Orlando, Florida, on Friday, October 23, 2026. Tipoff is at 7:00 PM ET. The Timberwolves are favored by 1.5 points, and the total is 238.5. Minnesota are around -125 on the moneyline. Visit our free NBA picks for more predictions.
Minnesota Timberwolves Made Quite An Entrance
Minnesota are 1-0 after beating Miami 131-106 on Wednesday. That’s about as comfortable an opening result as you could ask for on the road. Edwards poured in 45 points, and the Timberwolves finished 25 ahead. They weren’t simply scraping by with one hot shooting stretch. They put Miami under pressure and kept it there.
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The defense is what interests me as much as the scoring. Holding an opponent to 106 while putting up 131 yourself is a fine combination. Orlando scored 125 in its opener, so Minnesota won’t be facing a team short of attacking options. But the Timberwolves have the personnel to make life difficult around the basket and enough scoring to punish Orlando when the Magic lose their shape.
Edwards’ 45 points will get the headlines, and rightly so. Rudy Gobert remains an important defensive presence inside, while Minnesota need their other scorers and playmakers to make sure Orlando can’t concentrate entirely on Edwards. Friday is another road game after a big win, and maintaining that same effort will matter more than trying to repeat the exact shooting numbers.
Orlando Magic Have To Tighten Up
Orlando are 0-1 after losing 132-125 at home to Atlanta. Paolo Banchero scored 35 points, which would usually give a team a pretty good chance to win. Not when the opposition scores 132. The Magic now get another home game, and they need to defend much better than they did Wednesday.
Orlando can score, and Banchero gives them a difficult matchup for almost anybody. But Minnesota are coming off a 25-point win and have plenty of confidence. The Magic can’t let Edwards attack comfortably or allow easy second-chance points. If they do, another high-scoring defeat is a real possibility.
Banchero’s 35-point opener was encouraging. Franz Wagner and Desmond Bane give Orlando additional offensive options, and the Magic need all three involved rather than asking Banchero to carry every difficult possession. Orlando’s injury report and available defensive rotation will matter, particularly against Minnesota’s physical frontcourt.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Orlando Magic Picks and Predictions
Minnesota Timberwolves -1.5 (-105)
I’m backing Minnesota. Orlando scored 125 Wednesday, and Banchero was excellent, so this isn’t an easy road assignment. But Minnesota won by 25 in Miami and held the Heat to 106. Edwards was outstanding, and the Timberwolves looked sharper at both ends. Orlando have enough scoring to make this close. I still prefer Minnesota with a spread this small.
Under 238.5 (-108)
The opening results scream over, with Minnesota’s game reaching 237 and Orlando’s reaching 257. But 238.5 is a big number, and I expect Minnesota to make this a more physical game than Atlanta did. Orlando need to defend better, and the Timberwolves have a reason to slow Banchero rather than simply trade shots. I think both teams score, but not quite enough. Minnesota 117, Orlando 113.
Final Picks: Minnesota Timberwolves -1.5 (-105) and Under 238.5 (-108)
This preview was completed October 22, 2026. Betting lines, injuries, and starting lineups may change before tipoff.
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