Our ratings lean toward the Timberwolves at home against the Magic on Friday, March 26, at about 72%. That is a real edge, but the Magic are far from out of it.
How the Win Meter reads
The Win Meter reads the Timberwolves 72%, with a projected score of Orlando Magic 112, Minnesota Timberwolves 118. The rating gap is 68 points in favor of the Timberwolves, and home court and rest add about 100 rating points for the Timberwolves on top of that.
A reading this high has real meaning, but upsets of this size happen. Nearly one game in 4 like it goes the other way.
Recent form
The Magic are 1-2 this season and 1-4 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -11.2. The Timberwolves are 3-1 this season and 3-2 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of +7.6.
The Magic were beaten 115-93 at home by MIN not long ago.
The Timberwolves' best recent win was 131-106 on the road against MIA.
The Timberwolves were beaten 139-109 at home by SAS not long ago.
Offense against defense
The Magic score 109.7 a game and allow 116.3. The Timberwolves score 122 and allow 105. Pairing each offense with the other defense points to about 107.4 for the Magic and 119.2 for the Timberwolves, a simple check on the Win Meter's projection.
The Timberwolves should find points against the Magic's defense, which has been giving up 116.3.
Injuries to watch
Out: Jonathan Isaac (ORL), expected back Oct 28, 2026, Izaiyah Nelson (ORL), expected back Nov 18, 2026, Noah Penda (ORL), expected back Nov 18, 2026, Paolo Banchero (ORL), expected back Nov 22, 2026, and Jalen Suggs (ORL), expected back Nov 10, 2026.
The season series
In our records of recent meetings, the Timberwolves lead 3-2, with the Timberwolves outscoring the Magic by an average of 1 points per game. The last meeting was MIN 115, ORL 93.