Orlando Magic vs Portland Trail Blazers Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA

Prediction published on 01/04/2024, 03:54  by Kennedy Kechula | Modified on 01/04/2024 at 11:00 in NBA Prediction

The Portland Trail Blazers will be away to the Orlando Magic seeking to snap their current losing run in the NBA. They arrive for this match sitting second from bottom in the Western Conference while the Magic are fifth in the East. Orlando snapped a three-match losing run last time out thanks to a 118-88 victory over the visiting Memphis Grizzlies. Their 43rd win of the season came at the right time with the race for a top-six finish heating up. With eight matches left in the regular season, the Magic are 1.5 games clear of their closest challengers. Orlando defeated Portland in the reverse match 102-97 back in October. It was their second win of the season. Jamahl Mosley’s men have no injury concerns coming into this game. They have averaged 102.7 points over their last three matches.

The Blazers are not competing for a playoff spot and are playing for pride for the rest of the campaign. Chauncey Billups’ men have been one of the worst teams this year and have lost 55 times so far. Portland, who have managed just 19 wins, have lost nine straight games. This is the joint second-longest active losing run. The Blazers, who have lost three of the last four matchups with Orlando, were hammered 142-82 by the Heat last time out. Six players have been confirmed as out for this game due to injuries. They are Shaedon Sharpe, Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Williams III, Anfernee Simons, Matisse Thybulle and Toumani Camara. Jerami Grant has missed the last 10 matches and is likely to be out again here. The Blazers have averaged under 100 points a game in their last three outings.