New Orleans Pelicans vs Orlando Magic Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA

Prediction published on 03/04/2024, 05:45  by Kennedy Kechula | Modified on 03/04/2024 at 12:00 in NBA Prediction

The New Orleans Pelicans will be at home to welcome the Orlando Magic seeking to get back to winning ways. They are currently sixth in the Western Conference while the Magic are fourth in the East. The Pelicans have lost three of their last four matches and are on a two-match losing run. All three losses have come at home. This dip in form has precipitated their fall down the West standings. Willie Green’s men are now not so assured of a top-six finish. After losing 124-111 to the Suns, they are now just one game clear of the two teams directly below them. Jose Alvarado and Brandon Ingram will continue to be sidelined and will not feature here. The Pels have averaged 103.3 points in their last three outings.

While the Pelicans have slowly loosened their grip in the race for automatic playoff qualification, the Magic have tightened theirs. Jamahl Mosley’s men have won their last two matches after a three-game losing run. This upturn in form has moved them up to fourth in the East where they are now two games clear of the play-in places. With seven matches left to play, their chances of making the playoffs directly are high. Orlando are coming off a nail-biting 104-103 home win over the Trail Blazers which improved their record to 44-31. The Magic do not have any major injury concerns for this game with only Caleb Houstan likely to miss out. In their last three matches, Orlando have averaged 106.3 points. The Magic have dominated this matchup with the Pelicans in recent seasons and currently have won four straight against their soon-to-be hosts.