The 2025-26 NBA season offers an interconference clash between the Orlando Magic and the Utah Jazz, with Orlando aiming to bounce back from a recent skid while Utah seeks to capitalize on home-court energy amid injury concerns. The Magic, led by their young core, have shown defensive prowess but offensive inconsistencies, sitting in playoff contention in the East. The Jazz, rebuilding around veterans and youth, have struggled with health issues but remain competitive in high-scoring affairs. This matchup could hinge on frontcourt battles and three-point shooting, potentially affecting both teams’ trajectories heading into the new year.
Venue Location
The game will be held at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. This 18,206-seat arena has been the Jazz’s home since 1991 and is known for its enthusiastic crowds and high-altitude environment, which often challenges visiting teams’ conditioning.
Tip-off is scheduled for 9:30 PM ET (7:30 PM MT local time). The game will be broadcast on KJZZ and Jazz+ for Utah viewers, FDSFL for Orlando fans, and available via NBA League Pass for streaming.
Team Records
Orlando Magic: 15-12, 6th in the Eastern Conference (1st in Southeast Division).
Utah Jazz: 10-16, 12th in the Western Conference (5th in Northwest Division).
Recent Team Forms
Orlando has stumbled lately, losing four of their last five games, including a 126-115 defeat to the Denver Nuggets on December 18, where defensive lapses allowed Nikola Jokic to dominate. They fell 132-120 to the New York Knicks on December 13 in the NBA Cup semifinals, 117-108 to an opponent on December 9, and 106-100 to the Knicks again on December 7. Their lone win in the stretch was earlier in December, highlighting offensive struggles (averaging 110.6 points) against a leaky defense (allowing 116.2 points). The Magic are 5-8 on the road this season.
Utah has been inconsistent, going 2-3 in their last five, with a high-scoring 143-135 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on December 18 marking their third defeat to LA this season. They notched a 130-126 road win over the Memphis Grizzlies on December 12 and another victory earlier, but losses included a 146-112 blowout to the Oklahoma City Thunder on December 5 and 131-101 to an opponent on December 7. The Jazz average 119.4 points over the stretch but allow 128.6, reflecting offensive potency offset by defensive woes. They’re 6-7 at home.
| Team | Last 5 Games | Streak | Points For/Against (Last 5) | FG% (Season) | 3PT% (Season) | |
| Orlando Magic | 1-4 | L4 | 110.6 / 116.2 | 45.8% | 35.1% | |
| Utah Jazz | 2-3 | L1 | 119.4 / 128.6 | 46.2% | 36.4% |
Series History
The Jazz hold a commanding all-time regular-season edge over the Magic, leading 46-26 in 72 meetings. Utah has won 27 of 42 games since 2004, with Orlando securing just 15 victories. Recently, the Jazz have dominated, winning the last three encounters, including blowouts like 140-112 and 128-104 in the 2024-25 season. Over the past 10 games, Utah is 7-3, with an average total of 220.5 points. The home team has prevailed in six of those 10. This is the first of two matchups this season, with a rematch later in 2026.
Injury Report
Orlando Magic: Center Colin Castleton (Out – G League Two-Way); Forward Tristan da Silva (Questionable – Right Shoulder Contusion); Forward Jonathan Isaac (Questionable – Left Hip Contusion); Guard Jalen Suggs (Doubtful – Left Ankle Sprain); Forward Moritz Wagner (Out – Torn ACL). The Magic’s frontcourt depth is tested, with Wagner’s absence a significant blow to rebounding, forcing reliance on Paolo Banchero and others.
Utah Jazz: Forward Lauri Markkanen (Day-to-day – Right Groin Strain, missed recent game); Center Walker Kessler (Out – Left Shoulder Surgery, season-ending); Forward Georges Niang (Out – Foot Injury, yet to debut this season). Additional absences include several guards and forwards, thinning Utah’s rotation and putting pressure on Keyonte George and others.
Player Matchups
This game features compelling battles, particularly in the frontcourt, where injuries could shift dynamics:
Paolo Banchero (ORL, F) vs. Lauri Markkanen (UTA, F): Banchero (20.8 points, 7.2 rebounds) brings versatile scoring, but if Markkanen (27.8 points, 8.5 rebounds) plays through his groin issue, his perimeter shooting (38% from three) could stretch Orlando’s defense.
Franz Wagner (ORL, F) vs. John Collins (UTA, F): Wagner (22.7 points, efficient mid-range) faces Collins’ athleticism (15.4 points, strong rebounding), potentially deciding paint control amid Utah’s big-man shortages.
Jalen Suggs (ORL, G) vs. Keyonte George (UTA, G): If Suggs (doubtful, ankle) suits up (15.6 points, solid defense), he’ll challenge George (23.9 points, 5.8 assists), whose playmaking has been key for Utah’s offense.
Desmond Bane (ORL, G) vs. Collin Sexton (UTA, G): Bane (recent 37-point game) brings scoring punch, testing Sexton’s speed and defense in a guard matchup that could spark transition plays.
Orlando’s youth vs. Utah’s experience, with health playing a pivotal role.
Betting Trends
Orlando is 14-13 ATS this season but 5-8 on the road, with the under hitting in 60% of their games due to strong defense (allowing 114.5 points). They’ve covered in 4 of their last 6 as favorites but struggle against Western teams (3-5 ATS). Utah is 12-14 ATS overall and 6-7 at home, going 3-2 ATS in their last five, often as underdogs. The Jazz are 11-3 ATS when scoring over 114.5 points, but the over has cashed in 65% of their high-scoring affairs. Head-to-head, the under has hit in 6 of the last 10, and the home team covers 60% of the time. League-wide December trends favor unders in 52% of interconference games involving injury-impacted teams.
Simulations: Magic win 60%, Jazz win 40%. Adjust for final injury reports and bet responsibly.
Game Odds
Orlando Magic – 4.5
Utah Jazz 238.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, December 19, 2025
