New Orleans Pelicans (26-19) vs. Orlando Magic (16-28)
January 20, 2023 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: Orlando Magic +2; Over/Under: +227
(Get latest betting odds)
The New Orleans Pelicans and Orlando Magic meet Friday in NBA action at the Amway Center. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.
The New Orleans Pelicans Preview
The New Orleans Pelicans are averaging 116.6 points on 48.1 percent shooting and allowing 113.5 points on 47.2 percent shooting. Zion Williamson is averaging 26 points and 7 rebounds, while CJ McCollum is averaging 21.3 points and 4.6 rebounds. Brandon Ingram is the third double-digit scorer and Jonas Valanciunas is grabbing 9.8 rebounds. The New Orleans Pelicans are shooting 36.6 percent from beyond the arc and 77.7 percent from the free throw line. The New Orleans Pelicans are allowing 34 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 44.7 rebounds per game.
The Orlando Magic Preview
The Orlando Magic are averaging 110.5 points on 46.9 percent shooting and allowing 114.3 points on 47.3 percent shooting. Paolo Banchero is averaging 21.1 points and 3.8 assists, while Franz Wagner is averaging 20.3 points and 3.9 rebounds. Wendall Carter Jr. is the third double-digit scorer and Markelle Fultz is grabbing 4.1 rebounds. The Orlando Magic are shooting 34.3 percent from beyond the arc and 79.1 percent from the free throw line. The Orlando Magic are allowing 34.1 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 42.9 rebounds per game.
Trends
The Pelicans are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 road games and 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games overall. The Magic are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 home games and 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall. The over is 7-3 in Pelicans last 10 road games. The over is 5-1 in Magic last 6 home games. The Pelicans are 2-6 ATS in the last 8 meetings.
Randy’s Free Pick
The New Orleans Pelicans are the better team, but their defense has fallen off a cliff lately, and they’re still without their two best players. The Orlando Magic are covering numbers left and right these last couple of weeks, and they’re a feisty team, especially at home, where they lose by an average of just 1.9 points. I’ll grab the free bucket with the Magic.
