The Orlando Magic pay a visit to the Los Angeles Lakers at the crypto.com Arena on Thursday night. Here’s an LA Lakers vs Orlando Magic Prediction. This article will include an LA Lakers vs Orlando Magic Pick.
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic have been in great form as they were riding a six-game win streak before they got stopped in their tracks by the Clippers in a 104-93 loss last night. Anthony Black led the team with 17 points and eight assists off the bench, Jalen Suggs added 16 points while Franz Wagner chipped in with 14 points, six assists, and four steals.
As a team, the Magic shot 44 percent from the field and eight of 35 from the 3-point line as they kept pace with the Clippers in the first half, but that all changed in the second half where they managed just 39 points as a team to allow the Clippers to run away with it in the end. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had a rough game of just two points on one of six shooting. The Magic will take on the Pistons after this one.
Los Angeles Lakers
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers have been in red-hot form as they are now aiming for a seventh straight victory after taking down the Jazz in a 124-118 home win on Tuesday. Dalton Knecht drained a career-high nine 3-pointers to lead the team with 37 points on 12 of 16 shooting, Anthony Davis and LeBron James each scored 26 points while Austin Reaves chipped in with 17 points and five assists.
As a team, the Lakers shot 55 percent from the field and 14 of 31 from the 3-point line as they set the tone with 34 points in the first quarter and dominated most of the game to build a 25-point lead before they allowed the Jazz to go on a late run and make it somewhat interesting at the end.
Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win
- The Lakers have won each of their last 10 home games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Magic have lost each of their last eight games as underdogs on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Lakers have covered the spread in each of their last four home games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Magic have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five road games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
Total Points Facts
- Ten of the last 11 games between the Magic and Lakers at Crypto.com Arena have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Three of the Magic’s last four road games on the second leg of a back-to-back have gone OVER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Lakers rank 1st in the league for free throws made per game this season (21.4).
- The Lakers rank 1st in the league for free throw attempts per game this season (27.1).
- The Magic rank 1st in the league for opponent points per game this season (102.2).
- The Magic rank 1st in the league for opponent offensive rebounds per game this season (8.3).
LA Lakers vs Orlando Magic Prediction
The Magic are still missing Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr, while the Lakers are keeping an eye on Rui Hachimura who has been upgraded to questionable for this one. The Magic were playing some great basketball before last night’s defeat to the Clippers, but now they have to take on the Lakers on zero days rest which is tough for any team. The Magic are certainly capable of pulling off the upset on the road, but with the line so short, I have to stick with the Lakers to get the job done at home.