Orlando's Unexpected Rise Continues | Magic vs. Pelicans | OSB
NBA: Orlando Magic (44-31) at New Orleans Pelicans (40-34)
By Sam Batz
When: Wednesday, April 2nd at 8:00 PM EST
Where: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
Watch On: Bally Sports
Matchup: Orlando Magic vs. New Orleans Pelicans
The Orlando Magic will take on the New Orleans Pelicans this Wednesday in a cross conference showdown between two postseason hopefuls. After finishing 13th in the East last season, the Magic have made a surprising comeback as the 5th best team in the East. On the other side, New Orleans is 6th in the West, but after suffering back-to-back losses the Pelicans are just 1-game out from losing their automatic playoff bid. Neither the Magic nor the Pelicans can afford a loss, setting up Wednesday’s matchup as a prize fight. For the Magic and the Pelicans there are less than 10 games left on their respective schedules and with the standings as close as they are every game carries a little extra weight, or other words, the playoffs have already begun.
Below you’ll find all of our picks for the Magic vs. Pelicans game, including stats, scores, and advice. We’ll help you navigate the odds and provide helpful betting tips for Wednesday’s matchup between the Magic and Pelicans.
Magic vs. Pelicans Odds
Team | Spread | Total (O/U) | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
Orlando Magic | +4 (-110) | Ov 209 (-110) | +145 |
New Orleans Pelicans | -4 (-110) | Un 209 (-110) | -175 |
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Magic vs. Pelicans Betting Trends
Orlando Magic
- 48-27 ATS
- 22-14 ATS on the road
- 32-42-1 O/U record
- 16-19-1 O/U record on the road
- 16-26 as UNDERDOGS
- 8-18 as UNDERDOGS on the road
New Orleans Pelicans
- 41-33-1 ATS
- 20-17 ATS at home
- 32-43 O/U record
- 17-20 O/U record at home
- 30-16 as FAVORITES
- 16-10 as FAVORITES at home
Magic vs. Pelicans Matchup History
Wednesday’s matchup between the Orlando Magic and the New Orleans Pelicans will be just the 47th all-time matchup between the two young franchises. The Magic were founded in 1989, and the Pelicans in 1988 as the New Orleans Hornets, but the two organizations didn’t play their first game until 2003. The Magic lead the series with 26 wins to the Pelicans 20, and Orlando currently holds a 4-game winning streak over New Orleans. Earlier this season the Magic beat the Pelicans 121-106 in a surprising blowout win for Orlando. It was a poor showing for New Orleans, but the Pelicans haven’t beat the Magic since December of 2021. If the Pels lose on Wednesday, Orlando will secure their second straight sweep against New Orleans.
Magic vs. Pelicans Game Predictions
The New Orleans Pelicans are favored to win, but I’m going with the underdog Magic to pull off the upset and secure another sweep over the Pelicans. Orlando is building momentum after recording back-to-back wins, while New Orleans dropped down after back-to-back losses. Brandon Ingram, the Pels 2nd-highest scorer (20.9 PPG), remains sidelined with a knee injury, and New Orleans is 1-3 in their last 4 without Ingram. The Magic have the 2nd-best defensive rating in the NBA, allowing just 108.2 opponent points per game, and with one of their best scorers on the bench, the Pelicans will struggle to break Orlando down.
Paolo Banchero, the NBA’s reigning Rookie of the Year, leads the Magic with 22.3 points and 5.3 assists per game. Banchero recorded a triple-double (20 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds) in Orlando’s blowout win over the Pelicans back in March, and if New Orleans isn’t careful Banchero will roast them again. Zion Williamson leads the Pelicans with 22.9 PPG, and in his last 5 he averaged nearly 30 points per game, but Orlando’s suffocating defense held Williamson to a modest 20-points, and I’m expecting a similar result on Wednesday.
In summary, here are my picks for the Magic vs. Pelicans matchup:
- Moneyline Pick: Orlando Magic (+145)
If you take the Magic’s Moneyline (+145): You bet $100 to win $145, for a total payout of $245, if the Magic win straight up.
- ATS Pick: Orlando Magic (+4.0)
If you take the Magic to Cover the +4.0 Spread (-110): You risk $110 to win $100, for a total payout of $210, if the Magic win the game, or lose by less than 4 points.
- O/U Pick: Over (209)
If you take the Over on 209 total points (-110): You risk $110 to win $100, for a total payout of $210, if the Magic and Pelicans combine for more than 209 points.
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