Orlando Magic vs Sacramento Kings Picks and Predictions March 29th 2025

Kings Visit Magic as a Pair of Play-In Races Heat Up

With the NBA postseason looming, Saturday’s showdown between the Sacramento Kings and Orlando Magic carries major implications in both conferences’ play-in races. Both squads sit on the edge of playoff contention and are desperate for momentum heading into the season’s final stretch.

Orlando (35-39) had its three-game win streak snapped Thursday in a 101-92 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. The Magic failed to capitalize on Atlanta’s loss and still trail the Hawks by half a game for the seventh seed in the East—arguably the most desirable play-in position.

While the Magic have built their identity on defensive toughness—leading the league by allowing just 106 points per game—their offense remains a recurring concern. Orlando entered Thursday averaging just 104.9 points per contest, the lowest in the NBA. That inconsistency resurfaced against Dallas as the Magic scored under 100 points for the 26th time this season.

“We turned it over, (gave up) some easy shots, then you (pile) that one with not making baskets, it builds,” head coach Jamahl Mosley said. “There’s not many left, so you’ve got to understand exactly what you need to do in these moments.”

Turnovers proved costly again—Orlando committed 17, falling to 9-14 in games where they give the ball away 16 times or more.

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Kings Seek Stability on Crucial Road Swing

On the other side, Sacramento (36-37) snapped a four-game skid Thursday with a convincing 128-107 win over Portland. It was their best shooting night of the season—hitting nearly 65 percent from the field—and a confidence boost ahead of a six-game Eastern Conference road trip.

The Kings remain in a tight cluster of teams battling for play-in seeds in the West. They hold a slim half-game lead over Dallas for ninth place and are one game ahead of Phoenix. Saturday’s game is the first of four against potential playoff teams on this trip.

Zach LaVine, traded to Sacramento from Chicago in February, is finding his rhythm. He dropped 29 points on 13-of-18 shooting against Portland, while his former Bulls teammate DeMar DeRozan added a 21-point, 10-assist double-double. Domantas Sabonis powered through for his league-leading 53rd double-double with 22 points and 19 boards.

“It seemed like we wanted this one more. That’s the way we have to go about it over these next two weeks,” LaVine said. “We didn’t perform well (over the prior stretch) so it’s good to go out on the road feeling better about ourselves.”

Head coach Doug Christie also shook up the lineup, inserting Keon Ellis into the starting five and bringing Malik Monk off the bench—a move that paid immediate dividends.

A Battle of Contrasts

This matchup is a classic clash of styles: Orlando’s lockdown defense and grind-it-out approach versus Sacramento’s offensive firepower and transition attack. Their previous meeting on February 5 was a blowout in Orlando’s favor, as the Magic dropped 130 points in a 19-point rout—one of their best offensive outings of the year.

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Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero were dominant that night, scoring 31 and 23 points respectively. Banchero leads the Magic this season with 25.9 points per game, while Wagner is right behind at 24.3.

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The Kings, however, have evolved since then. LaVine’s integration has added another scoring dimension, and DeRozan continues to be their stabilizing force, averaging a team-best 22 points per game. Together, they offer a potent backcourt pairing that could challenge Orlando’s defense.

With so much on the line, this is a game bettors will be watching closely. If you’re evaluating NBA picks or seeking value in this late-season matchup, both the Kings’ offensive resurgence and the Magic’s defensive consistency provide compelling storylines. Check out the latest NBA predictions to stay one step ahead.