Timberwolves visit Magic as Edwards and Banchero meet in Orlando
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The gist
Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards scored 45 in the opener and now faces Paolo Banchero's Magic in Orlando.
Orlando won both meetings last season, so Minnesota's fast start gets a real test.
Background
The Minnesota Timberwolves are an NBA team that opened its season 1-0 with a 131-106 win in Miami, and they are on a Florida road trip. The Orlando Magic are 0-1 after losing their home opener 132-125 to the Atlanta Hawks at Kia Center. Anthony Edwards, the Timberwolves guard, scored 45 points in that opener, while Magic forward Paolo Banchero had 35 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists in the loss. Orlando won both matchups between the teams last season and has won six of the past 10 meetings.
How it unfolded
- Oct 21, 2026The Timberwolves beat the Heat 131-106 in Miami behind Anthony Edwards' 45 points on 16-of-29 shooting with nine 3-pointers.
- Oct 21, 2026The Magic lost their home opener 132-125 to the Atlanta Hawks; Paolo Banchero had 35 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists.
- Oct 23, 2026The Timberwolves (1-0) visit the Magic (0-1) at Kia Center in Orlando at 7:00 PM ET.
- Oct 23, 2026Injury reports list Minnesota's Donte DiVincenzo out (Achilles) and Orlando's Anthony Black (ankle), Jonathan Isaac (knee), Noah Penda (hamstring) and Izaiyah Nelson (ankle) out.
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- Pick Dawgz analyst Peter Tran picks Minnesota -1.5, citing Edwards looking in mid-season form and preferring how the Timberwolves looked.
- Analysts
- SI betting analyst Ryan Gilbert picks the OVER 234.5 (-108), expecting Minnesota to score in the 130s again.
- Bulls
- The KFAN computer model projects Timberwolves 133, Magic 114, picking Minnesota moneyline, Minnesota -1.5 ATS and Over 237.5.
- Bears
- RollingPlayz host Big Money Bev picks the Magic moneyline, arguing Banchero should use his body in the 15-foot range and that the 1.5-point line is a trap for public money on Minnesota.