| MATCHUP | Orlando Magic | New Orleans Pelicans |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 41-36 | 25-53 |
| Where | Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA | |
| When | Sunday, April 5, 2026 | |
| Time | 07:00 PM EDT | |
| TV | GCSEN | |
The Orlando Magic and New Orleans Pelicans meet Sunday in NBA action at the Smoothie King Center. Here’s an Orlando Magic vs. New Orleans Pelicans Prediction. This article will include an Orlando Magic vs. New Orleans Pelicans Pick.
Orlando Magic Betting Preview
The Orlando Magic lost to the Hawks, beat the Mavs, and play the Pistons next. The Magic have lost 8 of their last 11 games.
The Orlando Magic are averaging 115.4 points on 46.3 percent shooting and allowing 115.1 points on 47.8 percent shooting. Paolo Banchero is averaging 22.6 points and 5.1 assists, while Franz Wagner is averaging 21.3 points and 5.8 rebounds. Desmond Bane is the third double-digit scorer, and Anthony Black is grabbing 3.9 rebounds. The Orlando Magic are shooting 34.4 percent from beyond the arc and 80.5 percent from the free-throw line. The Orlando Magic are allowing 35.4 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.2 rebounds per game.
New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview
The New Orleans Pelicans lost to the Kings and Trail Blazers and play the Jazz next. The Pelicans have lost 7 straight games.
The New Orleans Pelicans are averaging 115.3 points on 46.6 percent shooting and allowing 119.3 points on 47.6 percent shooting. Trey Murphy III is averaging 21.7 points and 5.7 rebounds, while Zion Williamson is averaging 21.4 points and 5.8 rebounds. Saddiq Bey is the third double-digit scorer, and Dejounte Murray is dishing 6.5 assists. The New Orleans Pelicans are shooting 34.7 percent from beyond the arc and 78.3 percent from the free-throw line. The New Orleans Pelicans are allowing 34.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.9 rebounds per game.
Why the New Orleans Pelicans will win
- The underdogs have won four of the last five games between the Magic and Pelicans at Smoothie King Center.
- The Magic have lost six of their last eight games as favorites on the first leg of a back-to-back.
- The Magic have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four games against Southwest Division opponents following a win.
- The home team has covered the spread in four of the Pelicans’ last five games.
Why the Orlando Magic will win
- The Magic have won each of their last eight road games against the Pelicans.
- The Pelicans have lost each of their last 10 Sunday games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a winning record.
- The Magic have covered the spread in each of their last eight road games against the Pelicans.
- The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in each of their last eight games as underdogs against Southeast Division opponents following a loss.
Total Points: Facts
- Seven of the Magic’s last eight games as favorites have gone OVER the total points line.
- Five of the Pelicans’ last six home games have gone UNDER the total points line.
New Orleans Pelicans Player Facts
- Saddiq Bey ranks 11th amongst qualified Guards for rebounds per game (5.5) this season.
Orlando Magic Player Facts
- Paolo Banchero is one of only four qualified players in the league to be leading their team in points (22.2), rebounds (8.3) and assists (5.1) per game this season.
- Wendell Carter Jr. is one of only 10 qualified Centers in the league shooting at least 80% from the free-throw line this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pelicans rank 29th in the league for opponent blocks per game this season (5.8).
- The Pelicans rank 29th in the league for opponent three-point field goal attempts per game this season (40.5).
- The Magic rank 1st in the league for free throw attempts per game this season (27.2).
- This season, 19.0% of the Magic’s scoring has come from the free-throw line—the highest mark in the league.
Orlando Magic vs New Orleans Pelicans Injury Report
The Pelicans will be without Bryce McGowens. Karlo Matkovic, Trey Murphy, and Dejounte Murray are questionable.
The Magic will be without Jonathan Isaac and Anthony Black.
Orlando Magic vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction
I’ve bet against the Magic a lot this season and it’s worked out. However, the Magic are coming off a nice showing against the Mavs and need to keep winning to improve their playoff chances. The Pelicans haven’t cashed a ticket since March 24 and now their injury report is growing. The Pels are one of a thousand teams that have nothing to play for at this stage. The line is reasonable. I’ll side with the Magic in what’s a must-win game for this disappointing team.