The NBA action continues on Saturday, February 25, with a seven-game slate, and here you can get the best Pacers vs. Magic betting pick and odds.

Indiana is desperate to avoid the 12th consecutive loss on the road when they visit Orlando at Amway Center. The Magic are 3-point favorites on MyBookie Sportsbook, while the total is set at 233.5 points. These conference rivals will meet for the fourth time this season; the Pacers lead the series 2-1.

Pacers fell short of the Celtics in OT

The Indiana Pacers (26-35, 32-29-0 ATS) managed to snap a five-game losing skid with a win over the Chicago Bulls but returned to losing ways against the Boston Celtics. The Pacers concluded a three-game home stand with a 142-138 overtime loss to the Celtics, even though they have multiple chances to snatch a victory in regulation. We didn’t see a point in the final 1:22 as both sides missed their shots; Indiana had even four opportunities to score, but Buddy Hield, Bennedict Mathurin, and as time expired, Tyrese Haliburton, all missed. Boston was better in OT and got a victory. The Pacers shot 52.1% from the floor and made 22 triples opposite Boston’s 18, but the C’s were better in rebounds (51-37).

Myles Turner led the Pacers as he erupted offensively and matched his career-high 40 points (13-15 FG, 8-10 3PT (career-high), 6-7 FT) and team-high ten rebounds. Tyrese Haliburton posted a double-double of 22 points and a game-high 14 assists along with a game-high three steals and two blocks, Bennedict Mathurin had a 19/7/4 line, while Buddy Hield scored 18 points with five boards.

Magic edged the Pistons in Orlando

The Orlando Magic (25-35, 33-26-1 ATS) have been quite inconsistent in recent weeks; they won two straight games on just two occasions in 2023, but they also lost two in a row just twice in that period. The Magic’s most recent game was a tight 108-106 win against the Detroit Pistons at home thanks to Wendell Carter Jr., who got an offensive rebound after Paolo Banchero’s miss and made a tip shot to beat the buzzer and avoid overtime. Orlando shot only 41.1% from the field and hit five triples fewer than the Pistons (12-17), but they did force 19 turnovers and committed 12 in return.

Franz Wagner led the Magic with 21 points and five rebounds. Cole Anthony chipped in a 15/4/4 line, Wendell Carter Jr. recorded a double-double of 14 points and game-high 14 boards along with two blocks, while Markelle Fultz had 14 points, game-high eight assists, and two steals.

Trends:

Indiana:

  • 1-8 ATS in the last nine road games
  • 0-7 ATS in the last seven games after allowing more than 125 points in their previous game
  • 1-8 ATS in the last nine games playing on one day of rest

Orlando:

  • 8-1 ATS in the last nine games following an ATS loss
  • 18-5 ATS in the last 23 games playing on one day of rest

Indiana Pacers vs. Orlando Magic Pick

Both teams are still very much alive in the playoff/play-in race, and this encounter could turn out to be quite important at the end of the regular season. While I expect to see a tight duel, I am giving a slight advantage to the Magic, who won 11 of the previous 17 home games. On the other hand, the Pacers lost each of their last 11 road games. Orlando doesn’t have a highly-efficient offense; the Magic are averaging 110.9 points per game, but they do have a stronger defense. I am backing that D to prevail on Saturday.

Pick: Take the Magic at -1.5 (-133)

The Total

Even though Indiana is struggling defensively of late, considering Orlando’s inefficient offense and the fact that neither team belongs to the top 20 when it comes to offensive rating, I expect a low-scoring affair. The rivals did combine for 246 points in the previous H2H, but there is a small chance that’s going to happen on Saturday. Under is 6-1 in the Magic’s last seven overall; Under is 4-0 in Orlando’s previous four home games, while Under is 5-0 in the Magic’s last five games playing on one day of rest.

Pick: Go Under 234.5 points (-130)