Pelicans vs. Magic Odds, Analysis, Predictions 1/20/23

When: Friday, January 20th, 7:00 PM (ET)

Where: Amway Center, FL, Orlando

TV: BSF

Point Spread: NO -1.0/ORL -1 (Why bet on games at -110 when you could be laying only -105 at BetAnySports Sportsbook? Home of Reduced Juice Wagering!)

Total: 227.0

Money Line: New Orleans Pelicans -117/-103

Notable Injuries

Pelicans

• Brandon Ingram (Out) Toe
• Zion Williamson (Out) Hamstring
• Naji Marshall (Questionable) Toe
• Herbert Jones (Questionable) Back
• EJ Liddell (Out) Knee

Magic

• Chuma Okeke (Out) Knee
• R.J. Hampton (Out) Not With Team
• Franz Wagner (Questionable) Ankle

Recent Form

Heading into the game, New Orleans is 26-19 overall. When taking to the road, New Orleans has a mark of 9-13 and a win percentage of 41%. Currently, the team is 4th in the Western Conference. So far, they are 22-23-0 vs. the spread. New Orleans travels to take on the Magic, hoping to avoid their 3rd straight loss.

Most recently, New Orleans lost to the Heat by a score of 124-98. CJ McCollum and his 21 points were not enough for the team to pull out a win as 3-point underdogs. The Pelicans also finished with an ATS loss in the game.

Heading into the game, Orlando is 16-28 overall. When playing at home, Orlando has a mark of 10-12 and a win percentage of 45%. Currently, the team is 13th in the Eastern Conference. So far, they are 24-19-1 vs. the spread. The Magic need a win in today’s matchup vs. New Orleans to avoid their 3rd straight loss.

Orlando most recently lost to the Nuggets by a score of 119-116. The team high 20 points from Markelle Fultz was not enough to come home with the win. The Magic were 11-point favorites going into the game.

The Historicals

Going back to last season, the Pelicans and Magic split their season series, with each team picking up a win on the road. The average point total across the two games was 210.0 points. Similar to their season-long average, the Pelicans averaged 106.0 points per game vs. the Magic. Just like the Pelicans, the Magic maintained their usual level of scoring in head-to-head matchups, averaging 106.0 points per game vs. New Orleans. In terms of betting vs. the spread, the Magic have gone 3-2, but the Pelicans actually have a positive scoring differential. In these meetings, New Orleans has averaged 116 points per contest while allowing 112. In these matchups, the teams have put together an over-under mark of 4-1. Combined, they averaged 228 points in these games.

Analysis

This season, New Orleans is among the league leaders in scoring, averaging 116.6 points per game. So far, the Pelicans are also one of the more up-tempo teams in the league, sitting at 100.8 possessions per game. New Orleans heads into the game as one of the top 3-point shooting teams in terms of percentage. So far, they have hit 36.6% of their looks from deep. However, they are currently ranked just 26th in 3-point attempts per contest. On defense, the Pelicans allow an average of 110.28 points per game, placing them 13th in the league. So far, teams have shot 36.48% on their looks from outside vs. New Orleans. This figure places them 26th in 3-point shooting defense.

Heading into today’s game, New Orleans will need a strong offensive effort from CJ McCollum and the team’s supporting cast, as Zion Williamson won’t be available vs. Orlando. So far, Williamson is averaging 26.0 points per game. McCollum leads the Pelicans at 21.3 points per contest.

Coming into the game, Orlando’s offense is ranked just 27th in scoring at 110.5 points per game. This has come while being the 18th-ranked unit in pace. So far, the Magic are averaging 98.8 possessions per contest. Orlando has struggled with their 3-point shot this season, as they are currently ranked just 23rd in 3-point shooting percentage at 34.3%. In addition, they are near the bottom of the league in attempts, at just 31.2 attempts per contest. On defense, the Magic are allowing an average of 112.2 points per game, placing them 20th in the league. So far, teams have shot 36.62% on their looks from outside vs. Orlando. This figure places them 27th in 3-point shooting defense.

Heading into the game, Franz Wagner is listed as questionable on the injury report. This season, he leads the team with a per game scoring average of 20.3. Currently, Paolo Banchero is 2nd on the team in scoring at 21.1 points per game.

More Picks: Get our betting analysis of the Heat vs. Mavericks 1/20/23 game>>

Betting Trends

• The Pelicans are 5-0 ATS in their last five games vs. a team with a losing record.
• The Pelicans are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 Friday games.
• The Magic are 4-0 ATS in their last four games following a straight-up loss.
• The Magic are 4-1 ATS in their last five games overall.

Joes Pick To Cover The Spread

It’s tough to pick a winner against the spread in a game where both teams are struggling. I “think” Orlando wins, but I’m way more confident in the 226.5 total. Orlando is playing their first home game after a long road trip, so they’ll likely come out flat (at least for the first half). The Pels have had a heck of a time scoring the ball as of late. This game could easily fall in the 210 range (or less). I’m betting the Pelicans/Magic UNDER 226.5! Bet your NBA predictions for FREE this week by scoring a 100% real cash bonus on your first deposit of $100 to $500 when you use bonus code PREDICTEM at Betnow Sportsbook!