Orlando Magic (3-6) vs New Orleans Pelicans (3-6)
November 8, 2024 at 07:00 PM EST
The Line: Betting Odds: Orlando Magic -4.5 — Over/Under: 214.5
The Orlando Magic play host to the New Orleans Pelicans at the Kia Center on Friday night. Here’s a New Orleans Pelicans vs Orlando Magic Prediction. This article will include a New Orleans Pelicans vs Orlando Magic Pick.
New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans have been in a major slump as they’ve lost six of their last seven games and they will be hoping to arrest a three-game slide after getting beaten by the Cavaliers in a 131-122 loss on Wednesday. Zion Williamson led the team with 29 points, eight rebounds, and four assists, Jose Alverado added 27 points with five assists while Brandon Ingram chipped in with 20 points and five assists. As a team, the Pelicans shot 47 percent from the field and 13 of 27 from the 3-point line as they got off to a quick start and led by 12 points early on, but it didn’t last long at all as the Cavaliers poured in 40 points in the third quarter to put them behind by as many as 16 points at one stage.
Orlando Magic
Meanwhile, the Orlando Magic have been in a slump of their own as they’ve lost six of their last seven games and they will be hoping to put a halt to a five-game losing streak after getting beaten by the Pacers in a 118-111 loss on Wednesday. Franz Wagner led the team with 28 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, Jalen Suggs added 15 points with six assists while Goga Bitadze chipped in with 10 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks. As a team, the Magic shot 51 percent from the field and seven of 25 from the 3-point line, but they were never really a threat after allowing 38 points in the first quarter to fall behind by 18 points.
Why the Orlando Magic will win
- The Magic have won each of their last 21 games at Kia Center against teams that held a losing record.
- The Pelicans have lost five of their last six road games.
- The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games against teams that held a losing record.
- The home team has covered the spread in each of the Magic’s last five games.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Pelicans’ last five night games against Eastern Conference opponents has gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the last four games between the Pelicans and Magic at Kia Center has gone OVER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Magic rank 2nd in the league for opponent offensive rebounds per game this season (8.3).
- The Magic rank 29th in the league for field goal percentage this season (43.2%).
- The Pelicans rank 29th in the league for three-point field goal attempts per game this season (31.9).
- The Pelicans rank 2nd in the league for opponent free throws made per game this season (13.9).
New Orleans Pelicans vs Orlando Magic Prediction
The Pelicans are still shorthanded with Dejounte Murray, CJ McCollum, and Trey Murphy all out, while the Magic will again be missing Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr. Both teams could do with a win to get their respective seasons back on track, but it’s hard to do that with some of your best players out injured. You really couldn’t back either side with any confidence at the moment, but there is an injury cloud hanging over the Pelicans’ Zion Williamson, so I am slightly more interested in taking the Magic to take advantage at home.