Mar 19, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) grabs a rebound in the fourth quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
The New Orleans Pelicans (42-26) make the 2nd stop on a 4-game road trip Thursday against the Orlando Magic (41-28). Tip-off at the Kia Center in Orlando is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Pelicans vs. Magic odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
Season series: First meeting of 2023-24; Magic swept regular-season series in 2022-23 going 2-0 against the spread (ATS) with the Over-Under 1-1
The Pelicans have won and covered the past 3 games, while going 7-1 straight up (SU) and 6-1-1 ATS in the past 8 outings. The Under is 5-1 in the past 6 contests, while cashing at a 10-2 clip in the previous 12 games.
The Magic enter on a 4-game win and cover streak, while cashing the Under in 3 straight, 5 of the past 6, and 11 of the previous 13 outings.
Orlando has won and covered 3 in a row in this series, while going 8-2 SU/ATS across the past 10 meetings since Feb. 12, 2019. The Under is 2-1 in the past 3 in the series, but the Over is 6-2 across the previous 8 meetings.
Pelicans at Magic odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:48 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Pelicans -144 (bet $144 to win $100) | Magic +122 (bet $100 to win $122)
- Against the spread: Pelicans -3 (-108) | Magic +3 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 207 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Pelicans at Magic key injuries
Pelicans
- F Matt Ryan (illness) questionable
Magic
- None
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Pelicans at Magic picks and predictions
Prediction
Magic 112, Pelicans 109
Moneyline
The MAGIC (+122) is a strong play as short ‘dogs at home. Orlando has run this series recently, sweeping last season, while going 8-2 SU/ATS in the past 10 in the series since 2019.
And it’s a little curious why Orlando is a home ‘dog. The Magic stroll in on a 4-game heater, also covering each of those outings. True, the winning streak consists of wins over the lowly Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets and a pair of wins over the Toronto Raptors, so the schedule hasn’t exactly been challenging. But, again, Orlando has dominated this series, too.
Against the spread
The MAGIC +3 (-112) is worth playing at home catching the points, if you just can’t bring yourself to bet them straight up, but feel it will at least be a close game.
If you like Orlando, you should just bet it straight up, though.
Over/Under
OVER 207 (-110) might be the best play on the board.
While the Under has cashed in 3 in a row, and 5 of the past 6 for the boys from O-Town, the schedule has been rather easy. The Pelicans can score, racking up at least 112 points in 7 of the past 10 games. New Orleans plays good defense, and that will be a challenge, but it won’t take much for both of these teams to get to 208 or more points.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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This article originally appeared on USA Today Sportsbookwire: New Orleans Pelicans at Orlando Magic odds, picks and predictions
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