Orlando Magic vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction NBA Picks 10/7/24

The Orlando Magic and New Orleans Pelicans meet Monday in NBA preseason action at the Smoothie King Center. Here’s a Orlando Magic vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction. This article will include a Orlando Magic vs New Orleans Pelicans Pick.

Orlando Magic Betting Preview

The Orlando Magic were a surprise last season with 47 wins and a playoff appearance. The Magic enter year four under coach Jamahl Mosley. The Magic bring back the young core that made that success happen in Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner, Wendell Carter Jr. and Paolo Banchero. The Magics key addition was Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who brings championship experience and timely shooting to the table. If Wagner and Banchero, especially, can take another leap, 40-plus wins in back to back seasons for the first time since 2010-11 is a realistic possibility. 

The Magic have made the playoffs just three times since the 2012-13 season, so this winning thing is still fresh. However, the Magic feel like a team on the rise and capable of pushing the rest of the East.

New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview

The New Orleans Pelicans are coming off 49 wins and hope to make the playoffs in back to back years for the first time since the 2008-09 season. Willie Green enters his fourth year as head coach. The Pelicans made the move for Dejounte Murray, but they lost their post presence in Jonas Valanciunas. The Pelicans are an intriguing team in the West because a foursome of Murray, CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson is as good as it gets. The Pelicans also still have Jose Alvarado and Herbert Jones off the bench. If Zion stays healthy and Ingram is committed, the Pelicans can make some noise. There’s serious potential.

The Pelicans haven’t made the playoffs in two straight seasons since Byron Scott was head coach. The talent is there to end the years of mediocrity.

Orlando Magic vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction

This is a weird early start for a preseason game, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see some sluggish play. The New Orleans Pelicans are getting the benefit of the doubt, I guess because they’re at home, but it’s the Magic who have won 7 of their last 8 preseason games. While they made the playoffs last year, the Orlando Magic are still a young team eager to prove that last season wasn’t a fluke. This should be a tight game down the stretch. Give me the bucket with the Magic, a team that’s been great in preseason action the last two seasons. 

Randy Chambers's Pick: Orlando Magic +2