Another inter-conference tilt will take place on Thursday, March 9, in the NBA, so make sure you check out the best Jazz vs. Magic betting pick and odds.

Utah is desperate to avoid the fifth consecutive defeat when they visit Orlando at Amway Center. The Jazz are slight 1-point favorites on BetDSi Sportsbook, while the total is set at N/A points. These inter-conference rivals will face for the second time this year; the Jazz won 112-108 in Salt Lake City.

Jazz couldn’t edge the Mavericks in Dallas

The Utah Jazz (31-35, 35-29-2 ATS) suffered a disappointing home loss to the San Antonio Spurs and then opened a six-game road trip with three straight defeats to the Oklahoma City Thunder and Dallas Mavericks. While they didn’t have a chance against the Thunder in both games of a back-to-back set, the Jazz nearly surprised the Mavs in Dallas. Still, the hosts edged the Jazz 120-116 and Utah is now out of the play-in places.

Lauri Markkanen led the Jazz with a game-high 33 points, six rebounds, and two steals. Talen Horton-Tucker added 21 points, six boards, four assists, and two thefts, Kelly Olynyk had 12 points, seven rebounds, and two steals, while Kris Dunn chipped in 11 points, team-high eight boards, and game-high five dimes.

G Collin Sexton (hamstring) is out indefinitely. C Walker Kessler (illness) and PG Jordan Clarkson (finger) are questionable to feature on Thursday against Orlando.

Magic disappointed against shorthanded Milwaukee

The Orlando Magic (27-39, 35-30-1 ATS) returned home from a three-game road trip with two wins over New Orleans and Charlotte. However, the Magic lost the opening two of a four-game home stand against the Portland Trail Blazers and Milwaukee Bucks. These defeats were disappointing, considering both rivals were shorthanded, especially Milwaukee, who played without Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday. Orlando did shoot 50.0% from the field, but the Bucks were better (59.0%) and made even 32 free throws opposite the Magic’s 14.

Cole Anthony led the Magic in a 134-123 loss with 23 points, five rebounds, and two steals. Franz Wagner followed him with 21 points and team-high six assists, Paolo Banchero had 20 points and four boards, Moritz Wagner chipped in 18 points, team-high eight rebounds, and two thefts, Markelle Fultz scored 16 with four dishes, while Goga Bitadze added 12 points and eight boards.

PF Jonathan Isaac (hamstring) is out for the season and C Wendell Carter Jr. (hip) will not play against the Jazz on Thursday.

Trends:

Utah:

  • 2-4 ATS in the last six games
  • 1-5 SU in the last six games on the road

Orlando:

  • 4-1 SU in the last five games against the Western Conference rivals

Utah Jazz vs. Orlando Magic Pick

The Jazz are going through a rough period, and the Magic should take advantage of that and get a win on Thursday. Orlando is currently four wins below teams who are in the play-in, so the Magic must beat the Jazz here. Although the Jazz are better offensively as they have a top-10 offense that scores 117.0 points per game, the visitors could be without Sexton, Clarkson, and Kessler, which could be a big opportunity for the Magic. Orlando does have a stronger defense that allows 114.0 ppg opposite Utah’s 117.2 ppg.

Pick: Take the Magic at +2.5 (-130)

The Total

Utah allowed 120+ points in each of the last three games and considering the Magic managed to score 123 against Milwaukee, I am backing the hosts to go 120+ here. Orlando’s defense is not bad, but the Magic did allow 121+ in five of the last eight games. The total has gone Over in seven of Orlando’s last ten games against the Northwest Division rivals, while the total went Over in six of the Magic’s previous eight games played on a Thursday when at home.

Pick: Go Over N/A points