Orlando Magic (30-36) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (18-48)
March 13, 2025 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: New Orleans Pelicans +1.5; Over/Under: 217.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The New Orleans Pelicans play host to the Orlando Magic at the Smoothie King Center on Thursday night. Here’s a Pelicans vs Magic Prediction. This article will include a Pelicans vs Magic Pick.
Orlando Magic Betting Preview
The Orlando Magic have been doing it tough as they’ve lost six of their last seven games overall and they will be hoping for a better effort after getting routed by the Rockets in a 97-84 road defeat on Monday. Paolo Banchero led the team with 25 points on 10 of 23 shooting while Franz Wagner chipped in with 15 points, seven rebounds, and five assists but no other player finished in double figures in scoring. As a team, the Magic shot just 32 percent from the field and eight of 32 from the 3-point line as they struggled right from the start. They scored just 19 points in the first quarter and just 16 points in the third quarter to finish with just 84 points. This is their third-lowest score in a game this season. The Magic will play the Timberwolves, Cavs, and Wizards next.
New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans have been in rough shape as they’ve lost five of their last seven games overall. But they will be feeling much better after they snapped a four-game losing streak with a 127-120 home win over the Clippers on Tuesday. CJ McCollum led the team with 23 points and seven assists, Zion Williamson tallied a triple-double of 22 points with 10 rebounds and 12 assists while Trey Murphy chipped in with 21 points. As a team, the Pelicans shot a healthy 55 percent from the field and 17 of 31 from the 3-point line as they kicked off the game with a great sense of urgency and were always in control after taking an early 21-point lead. It was a really balanced scoring effort also as the Pelicans had a total of seven players finishing in double figures in scoring.
Why the New Orleans Pelicans will win
- The underdogs have won each of the Magic’s last four games at Smoothie King Center.
- The Magic have lost five of their last six games as road favorites against Western Conference opponents.
- The Pelicans have covered the spread in each of their last seven games as home underdogs when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Magic have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games when playing with a rest advantage.
Why the Orlando Magic will win
- The Magic have won each of their last seven games at Smoothie King Center.
- The Pelicans have lost each of their last seven games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Magic have covered the spread in each of their last seven games at Smoothie King Center.
- The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games as home underdogs following a win.
Total Points Facts
- Eight of the Magic’s last nine games as road favorites have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Five of the Pelicans’ last six home games against Southeast Division opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
Pelicans vs Magic Prediction
The Magic are still banged up with Jalen Suggs and Moritz Wagner both out, while the Pelicans have ruled out Kelly Olynyk and Herbert Jones once again. The Magic could really do with a win just for their own confidence, but they’ve been struggling and didn’t look great in their loss to the Rockets, where they amassed just 84 points. The Pelicans are coming into this game in similar form, but they would’ve taken plenty of confidence from their upset win over the Clippers on Tuesday. I can see why the Magic have opened as slight favorites in this one, but I was impressed by the Pelicans in their last game. I think they are the stronger team, with McCollum and Williamson both starting to heat up. You can make an argument for either side, but I think the Pelicans represent great value as the underdog at home in this spot.
