Orlando Magic vs New Orleans Pelicans Picks and Predictions November 8th 2024

Magic vs Pelicans November 8th 2024

At 7:00 ET, the New Orleans Pelicans (3-6) will travel to take on the Orlando Magic (3-6) in a non-conference matchup. The Magic are currently favored by 5.5 points and are -213 on the moneyline, while the Pelicans are +177. The over/under line is set at 213.5.

This game will be played at the Kia Center in Orlando and can be seen on Gulf.

Pelicans vs. Magic Key Information

The Pelicans fell to 3-6 on the season after a 131-122 loss to the Cavaliers on Wednesday. New Orleans, who were +6.5 point underdogs, couldn’t cover the spread. The game’s total of 253 points exceeded the O/U line of 224.5 by 28.5 points.

New Orleans led 34-29 after the 1st quarter, but a 10-0 run by the Cavs shifted momentum. The Pelicans were outscored 40-29 in the 3rd quarter, leaving them trailing 99-88 heading into the 4th. They edged Cleveland 34-32 in the final quarter but couldn’t close the gap.

Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 29 points and 8 rebounds in their loss to the Cavaliers, shooting 50% from the field. Jose Alvarado was a standout, hitting 7 threes at 100% efficiency, finishing with 27 points and 5 assists, while Brandon Ingram added 20 points and 5 assists.

New Orleans connected on 13 threes, shooting 48.1% from deep and 47.7% overall. Alvarado and Williamson were key in the 4th quarter, scoring 14 and 13 points, respectively.

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The Pelicans struggled defensively on Wednesday, giving up 131 points to the Cavaliers, including 40 in the 3rd quarter. Cleveland shot 54% from the field, making it a tough night for New Orleans.

From beyond the arc, the Cavaliers hit 17 threes at a 48% clip. The Pelicans also allowed 12 offensive rebounds but managed to record 8 steals and 8 blocks.

The Magic fell to 3-6 on the season after a 118-111 road loss to the Pacers on Wednesday. Orlando entered the game as +5.5 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game ended at 229, just over the pre-game line of 227.5.

Orlando got off to a slow start, trailing 38-26 after the 1st quarter. They responded with a 13-0 run, taking the score from 51-38 to 64-38, but couldn’t maintain the momentum. Heading into the 4th quarter down 87-85, the Magic were outscored 31-26 in the final period.

Franz Wagner led the way for the Magic with 28 points, 11 of which came in the 1st quarter, in their 118-111 loss to the Pacers. Jalen Suggs added 15 points, 5 of which came in the 4th quarter, while Moritz Wagner chipped in 14 points, with 7 coming in the 3rd.

Orlando shot 51.2% from the field, but struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 7 threes at a 28% clip. Anthony Black scored 10 of his 12 points in the final period, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had 10 of his 13 points in the 2nd quarter.

The Magic struggled defensively in the 1st quarter, giving up 38 points, but they tightened up in the 2nd, allowing just 23. They held the Pacers to 26 points in the 3rd, but a 31-point 4th quarter sealed their fate in a 118-111 loss.

Orlando allowed Indiana to shoot 53% from the field and 46% from three, with the Pacers hitting 12 threes. The Magic sent Indiana to the line 26 times, where they made 24 free throws. Defensively, the Magic recorded 6 steals and 5 blocks.

Coming in as the underdogs at +5.5, we have the Pelicans as the way to go on the point spread. Not only do we have them covering, but our projections show they have a good one of winning this one straight-up, if you’re looking for a higher payout on the moneyline.

As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 213.5 and our model has the Pelicans and Magic finishing with a combined 187 points. Our pick is to take the under.

Magic and Pelicans Look to Break Out of Slumps in Friday Showdown

Two teams currently navigating rough patches and battling injuries will face off on Friday night, as the New Orleans Pelicans visit the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. Both teams are on losing streaks and looking to get back on track.

Pelicans Battling Through Injuries

The New Orleans Pelicans (4-5) have been struggling to find their footing early in the season, currently riding a three-game losing streak. Injuries have been a significant factor, with key players like Dejounte Murray, CJ McCollum, Herbert Jones, and Trey Murphy III sidelined. Despite these setbacks, New Orleans put up a spirited fight against the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday before falling short, 131-122.

In that game, Zion Williamson returned to action, leading the team with 29 points, while rookie Jordan Hawkins contributed seven points. However, the Pelicans have been forced to adjust on the fly, using their seventh different starting lineup in just nine games.

"I loved the fight and competitiveness of our group," Pelicans head coach Willie Green said. "We're going through a bit of a storm early in the season. It’s challenging, but we have to stay together and stay the course."

New Orleans started strong against Cleveland, ending the first half tied at 59. However, a lackluster third quarter allowed the Cavaliers to pull ahead, and despite a late push, the Pelicans couldn’t close the gap.

Zion Williamson acknowledged the team’s inconsistency, saying, “We had great energy in the fourth quarter, but we can’t afford slippages like we did in the third. I’ve got to limit my turnovers if we want to win these tough games.”

Magic Struggling to Find Their Rhythm

The Orlando Magic (3-6) are also dealing with a rough stretch, currently on a five-game losing skid. All five of those losses came on the road, with the latest being a hard-fought 118-111 defeat against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday.

The Magic fell behind early, trailing by as much as 18 points in the first half before mounting a comeback that ultimately fell short.

Franz Wagner led the way for Orlando with 28 points against Indiana, noting that the team showed improvement. “We played better defense, mixed in some zone, and got them out of their rhythm a bit,” Wagner said. “But we still have a lot of work to do.”

The Magic are missing their All-Star forward Paolo Banchero, who is expected to be out for a few more weeks with an oblique injury. Additionally, center Wendell Carter Jr. is day-to-day with a foot injury, missing the game against Indiana.

In Carter’s absence, Goga Bitadze has stepped up, starting the last two games and delivering a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds against the Pacers. Rookie Anthony Black also showed promise off the bench, scoring a season-high 12 points.

“Anthony was aggressive in attacking the basket and finding open teammates, which is exactly what we need from him,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said.

However, the Magic have been plagued by slow starts, getting outscored by an average of 12.8 points in the first quarter over their last four losses. Finding a way to avoid falling into early deficits will be crucial if they hope to end their skid.

Outlook for Friday Night

Both teams enter Friday’s matchup eager to snap their respective losing streaks and get back in the win column. For the Magic, starting their five-game homestand on a positive note is key, especially given their recent struggles on the road.

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The Pelicans, on the other hand, will look to build on the energy they showed late in the game against Cleveland, with Zion Williamson likely to play a crucial role. However, the absence of key players like CJ McCollum and Herbert Jones puts pressure on other members of the squad to step up.

Key Matchups to Watch:

• Zion Williamson vs. Magic’s Interior Defense: With Wendell Carter Jr. potentially out, the Magic will need Goga Bitadze and Mo Wagner to contain Williamson’s explosive drives to the rim.
• Anthony Black’s Development: The rookie guard has shown flashes of potential. If he can replicate his aggressive play from the Pacers game, he could provide a much-needed boost for Orlando’s offense.
• Franz Wagner’s Leadership: With Banchero sidelined, Wagner has been shouldering more of the offensive load. His performance could be the difference-maker in a close game.

Both teams are hungry for a win, making this matchup a crucial opportunity to reset their season’s trajectory and build some momentum.