The Orlando Magic (30-36, 29-36-1 ATS, 26-40 O/U) take on the New Orleans Pelicans (18-48, 27-38-1 ATS, 38-28-1 O/U) in an inter-conference clash on Thursday evening. The Magic were dealt a road defeat by Houston on Monday. The Pelicans issued a home win against the Clippers in their previous clash. Orlando posted a 115-88 home win in the first meeting.
Can the Magic generate enough offense to collect a road win? Keep reading for the Magic vs. Pelicans prediction. Check out the rest of our NBA Picks!
Orlando Continues Road Trek
The Orlando Magic are in the midst of a challenging road trek spanning five games. Orlando has been shaky recently, losing four of their past five clashes. They are 8th in the conference. The squad dropped home meetings against the Raptors and Bulls last week. They issued a road win against the Bucks this past weekend. Next, the Magic dropped an ugly 97-84 road decision against the Rockets on Monday in a clash that had the Magic as 2.5-point dogs. The Magic have covered the spread in just one of their past five games.
Franz Wagner has scored 18 or fewer points in three of his past five games. The 23-year-old forward scored 15 points on Monday and has delivered an average of 24.5 PPG accompanied by 5.5 RPG on the season. Paolo Banchero has been sharp, collecting 24 or more points in three of his past five games. The 22-year-old power forward has posted an average of 24.3 PPG.
Cole Anthony has been a bright spot recently, amassing at least 20 points in two of his past four games. The 24-year-old point guard collected nine points on Wednesday and is averaging 9.7 PPG on the year. Wendell Carter Jr. has scored double digits in two of his past five clashes. The 25-year-old center has issued an average of 8.9 PPG on 46% shooting. Jalen Suggs is out for the remainder of the season.
Orlando is 3-2 in its past five road games, covering in three games in that span. This includes a win against the Kings. Orlando is averaging 104.3 points on the season, ranking them 30th. The Magic have conceded 109 or fewer points in three of their past five games and are keeping opponents to 106 points, good for 1st.
Pelicans End Slide in Solid Home Win
The New Orleans Pelicans are targeting a second consecutive victory. The Pelicans has struggled defensively this month. New Orleans managed a win against the Jazz to begin the month but has earned just one win since. The Pelicans lost a clash against the Rockets this past weekend, along with a home defeat against the Grizzlies on Sunday. The Pelicans replied with a solid 127-120 home win against the Clippers on Tuesday. They were marked eight-point dogs. The Pelicans have covered the spread in two of their past five clashes.
Zion Williamson has scored 22 or fewer points in three of his past five games. The 24-year-old power forward collected 22 points on Tuesday and is sporting an average of 24.4 PPG on 56% shooting on the season. Trey Murphy II has converted on 50% of his field goals in three of his past four clashes. The 24-year-old shooting guard has reached 20 points in three games this month and is averaging 21.7 PPG.
CJ McCollum has been a threat, recording 19 or more points in three of his past six games. The veteran shooting guard has yielded an average of 21.4 PPG. Jordan Hawkins has shot below 40% in three of his past five performances. The 22-year-old guard has contributed with 10.9 PPG. Dejounte Murray is out for the remainder of the season.
The Pelicans are 3-2 in their previous five home meetings, including a win against the Spurs. They covered in four games in that span. New Orleans is scoring an average of 111 points on the year, rating them 20th. The Pelicans have conceded 120 or more points in three of their past five games and are squandering an average of 119.1 points, pegging them 26th.
Best Bets for Orlando Magic vs. New Orleans Pelicans
Full-Game Side Bet
Insiders Status:
The Orlando Magic have won two of their past three road games. They are battling for key positioning in the conference standings. The New Orleans Pelicans continue to stumble. They have dropped four of their past five games.
Furthermore, Orlando dominated the Pelicans in the first meeting. Orlando shot a dazzling 52% in the win. The Magic are one of the best defensive squads in the entire NBA, while the Pelicans are the worst. The Magic are only conceding 109.5 points per 100 possessions, ranking them 2nd, compared to 118.6 points per 100 by the Pelicans. The Magic won the first meeting 115-88.
Full-Game Total Pick
Insiders Status:
I expect this one to have a barrage of scoring. Orlando scored 115 points in the first meeting. They will score more than usual against a weak defense. The Pelicans continue to be exploited defensively, squandering an average of 124 points in their past five games.
In addition, New Orleans has been decent in the offensive end, sinking 115 or more points in four of their past six games. The Magic are solid defensively, but one area they can be solved is from beyond the arc, ranking 25th in three-point defense. The over is 6-2 in the Magic' past eight road games.
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