Sports

New Orleans Pelicans at Orlando Magic odds, picks and predictions

Kevin Erickson

Staff Writer

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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