New Orleans Pelicans vs Orlando Magic NBA Picks, Odds, Predictions 4/1/21

The New Orleans Pelicans play host to the Orlando Magic at the Smoothie King Center on Thursday night.

The Orlando Magic have been in a real slump as they’ve lost 13 of their last 16 games, but they will be quietly confident after pulling off a major upset against the Clippers in a 103-96 road win on Tuesday. Chuma Okeke led the team with 18 points on seven of 11 shooting, Terrence Ross returned from a seven-game absence to add 15 points on three of 12 shooting, while Otto Porter Jr. chipped in with 13 points, seven rebounds and four assists. As a team, the Magic shot just 41 percent from the field and a miserly five of 17 from the 3-point line as they trailed for most of the game after scoring just 13 points in the first quarter, before closing the game on a ferocious 17-3 run to come away with the unlikely victory.

Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans have been playing some of their best basketball of the season as they’ve won four of their past five games and they will be aiming for a third straight win after sneaking past the Celtics in a 115-109 road win on Monday. Zion Williamson led the team with 28 points, eight rebounds and four steals, Brandon Ingram added 25 points with nine assists, Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 17 points while Josh Hart chipped in with 15 points and 15 rebounds off the bench. As a team, the Pelicans shot 50 percent from the field and 16 of 31 from the 3-point line as they dominated most of the game to lead by as many as 17 points in the fourth quarter, before holding on for the narrow win after the Celtics rallied to within three points late.

Looking at the betting trends, the Magic are 4-0 ATS in their last four games as an underdog, 2-6-1 ATS in their last nine games against a team with a losing record and 4-0 ATS in their last four games overall. The Pelicans are 4-1 ATS in their last five home games, 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games against a team with a losing record and 4-1 ATS in their last five games overall.

Head to head, the under is 23-9 in the last 32 meetings overall, the Magic are 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings in New Orleans and the Magic are 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings overall.

The Magic really haven’t been able to build any momentum lately, so it was surprising that they were able to rally past the Clippers on Tuesday. On the other hand, the Pelicans are coming into this one with plenty of momentum and they would’ve taken so much confidence from their hard-fought win over the Celtics. The Pelicans are 4-1 ATS in their last five home games and they should be too good for the inconsistent Magic in this spot.