Raptors return to The O2 to face Orlando in NBA Global Games duel

Orlando was the darling of the sportsbook early on in the NBA campaign, opening with seven straight ATS wins, and covering in 14 of 16 outings between Thanksgiving and Christmas

But the Magic are a dismal 2-7 ATS since Boxing Day, and have failed to crack the century mark since the calendar turned to 2016, averaging just 87.7 points per game over their past six.

Not surprisingly, the point total has consistently played UNDER in recent weeks, going 7-3 in Orlando’s last 10, including four contests in which the point total was pegged below 200.

That could be a major concern for the Magic, who face a Raptors squad that ranks fourth in team defense, surrendering just 96.7 points per game this season, and a mere 85.7 ppg during their current three-game win streak.

Orlando (100/1 outsiders to win the Eastern Conference) must also overcome a feeble record against Raptors in recent years. Magic claimed a 92-87 victory over Toronto back in November, picking up the ATS win as 6-point home underdogs during their early-season hot streak.

That marked their first win over Toronto since March 2012, a stretch of 11 SU losses, 3-8 ATS. Raptors last visited London for an NBA Global Games matchup in 2011, getting swept by New Jersey in the first two NBA regular season games ever held at The O2, including a thrilling 137-136 Nets victory that took three overtime frames to settle.

While, Magic last travelled overseas for regular season action when they opened the 1996-1997 NBA season with a pair of wins over the Nets, playing before 40,000 fans at the Tokyo Dome in what was dubbed as the first-ever Japanese Jam Session.

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