Yes, the Orlando Magic are 5-1 SU and ATS in their last six games and bettors may look to continue riding the hot hand as the Magic arrive in New Orleans to play the Pelicans. Since the return of Anthony Davis to the lineup, the Pels are 0-2 ATS, but they will be the favorite tonight as the home spread opened at -4.5 with the total at 225.
- Orlando is 5-1 ATS in its last six games on the road.
- New Orleans is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games.
- Eight of the last nine games in this matchup has gone UNDER the total.
Both Teams Having Their Best Defensive Months of the Season
So far this month, both the Magic and Pelicans are allowing their fewest points against of any month this season. Orlando is averaging just 104.8 points against in February.
The Pelicans, meanwhile, are allowing seven more points per game at 111.6, but this is still the best average for them this season, with 113.4 in December being the previous low. After allowing opponents to shoot at least 33 percent from beyond the arc for most of the season, teams are shooting just 27.4 percent this month, likely a reason for the lower scores.
Magic Are Buckling Down on Defense
This month, Orlando has the second-best opponents’ field-goal percentage in the NBA at 42.2 percent. This renewed commitment to the defensive side of the ball is reflected in their record as well as average points against and has contributed to one of the best paint defenses in the Association.
This will impact the Pelicans as New Orleans scores 57.5 percent of its points from two-point field goals – the third-highest percentage in the NBA. The Pelicans also rely on free throws for 16.9 percent of their offense, and that’s also top 10 in the league. They may struggle to get to the line tonight as Orlando takes the fourth-fewest fouls at 19.4 per game.
My Pick for Tonight
I’m grabbing the Magic at +4.5 as I really like the way they match up with New Orleans in key parts of the game and I think the Pelicans will be forced out of their comfort zone tonight with the key matchup being Nikola Vucevic vs Anthony Davis.
There’s an argument to make for Orlando winning this game straight up, as they have from the underdog position in five of their last seven wins, but I’m feeling very good about getting points with the Magic tonight.
