This inter-conference duel will conclude a four-game slate action in the NBA on Monday, February 27, so make sure you read the best Magic vs. Pelicans betting pick and odds.

New Orleans is hoping to avoid the fourth straight defeat when they host Orlando at Smoothie King Center. The Hornets are -3.5 favorites on MyBookie Sportsbook, while the total is set at 226.5 points. These inter-conference rivals will meet for the second time this year; the Magic won 123-110 a month ago in Orlando.

Magic lost to the Pacers at home

The Orlando Magic (25-36, 33-27-1 ATS) continue to play in hot and cold form as they usually win one and then lose one game, which turned out to be a trend for them in 2023. The Magic’s most recent game was a 121-108 loss to the Indiana Pacers at home. Orlando played well in the first half and actually had a 1-point lead, but couldn’t stop the Pacers in the second half and deservedly lost in the end. The hosts shot just 38.9% from the field and hit only six three-pointers opposite Indiana’s 15, while the Pacers dominated the assists (35-16).

Franz Wagner led the Magic with 21 points and six rebounds. Paolo Banchero added 19 points and six boards, Markelle Fultz had 18 points and five rebounds, while Jalen Suggs ended the tilt with 14 points, five boards, and two blocks.

Pelicans are on a losing streak again

The New Orleans Pelicans (30-31, 28-33-0 ATS) did bounce back from a ten-game losing skid with three consecutive wins but returned to losing ways and are now on a three-game losing run. The Pelicans returned home from a four-game road trip on which they suffered three defeats, including the latest one to the New York Knicks. New Orleans allowed even 73 points in the opening half at Madison Square Garden, and although they improved in the second half, it was far from enough to avoid a massive 128-106 loss. The Pels shot just 39.2% from the field and made only eight triples opposite the Knicks’ 19, while the hosts were also better in rebounds (54-39).

Brandon Ingram led the Pelicans with 19 points and four rebounds. Josh Richardson had 16 points, team-high four assists, and game-high four steals, C.J. McCollum scored 13 points with four dimes, while Jonas Valanciunas posted a double-double of 12 points and team-high ten boards.

PF Zion Williamson (hamstring) is out indefinitely, while PF Larry Nance Jr. (ankle) left the last game with an injury and is questionable to face the Magic on Monday.

Trends:

Orlando:

  • 1-4 ATS in the last five games overall

New Orleans:

  • 11-5 ATS in the last 16 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400

Orlando Magic vs. New Orleans Pelicans Pick

While both teams are pretty close when it comes to defense and points allowed per game. New Orleans allows 113.8 ppg and Orlando surrenders 113.7 ppg, but the Pels are better offensively. They are scoring 114.7 points per contest, which is an average offense in the NBA, but that cannot be said for the Magic, who average 110.8 ppg – the third weakest offense in the league. Although they are playing without injured Zion Williamson, the Pels are still alive in the playoff race and I am backing them to return to .500 with a win on Monday.  

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

The Total

The Pelicans failed to score more than 110 points in each of their previous five games, and even though Orlando has a relatively good defense, I expect the hosts to bounce back offensively in this one. New Orleans will likely have to score at least 115 in order to get a win, and I am backing them to do it. It’s going to be a tight encounter, so we could have an interesting finish and overtime is also a possibility. Over is 6-1 in the last seven H2H meetings; Over is 5-0 in the Pelicans’ previous five games after allowing more than 125 points in their last game, while Over is 6-1 in New Orleans’ last seven vs. a team with a losing straight-up record.

Pick: Go Over 223.5 points (-133)