New Orleans Pelicans vs Orlando Magic Prediction, 8/13/2020 NBA Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: New Orleans Pelicans vs Orlando Magic

Date: Thursday, August 13, 2020

Location: Visa Athletic Center in Orlando, Florida

TV: Fox Sports Florida

Odds/Point Spread: Orlando -4.5

Total/Over-Under: 230

Markelle Fultz and the Orlando Magic (32-40, 2nd in the Southeast Division) host the New Orleans Pelicans (30-41, 5th in the Southwest Division) at Visa Athletic Center on Thursday. The odds on this game have Orlando as 4.5-point favorites. The total is set at 230.

The Pelicans cover the spread 50.7% of the time, having gone 35-34-2 ATS. Orlando is covering 48.6% of the time, going 34-36-2 against the spread.

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

08/11/20 PG Jrue Holiday Elbow is questionable Thursday vs Orlando
08/11/20 SF Brandon Ingram Knee is questionable Thursday vs Orlando
08/11/20 PF Zion Williamson Knee is questionable Thursday vs Orlando

Key Orlando Magic Injuries

08/12/20 C Mo Bamba Migraine is upgraded to probable Thursday vs New Orleans
08/12/20 PG Michael Carter-Williams Foot is downgraded to out Thursday vs New Orleans
08/12/20 SG Evan Fournier Illness is downgraded to out Thursday vs New Orleans
08/12/20 PF Aaron Gordon Hamstring is downgraded to out Thursday vs New Orleans
 

Player Spotlight

Lonzo Ball averages 11.8 points per game in 32.1 minutes per contest. He averages 7.0 assists per contest and 6.1 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 40% for the year while his free throw percentage is 57%. Derrick Favors comes into this contest averaging 9.0 points per game while playing 24.4 minutes per night. He pulls down 9.8 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.6 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 62% while his free throw percentage is at 56%.

Player Spotlight

Nikola Vucevic averages 19.5 points per game and he sees the court an average of 32.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 10.9 rebounds per contest and 3.6 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is 78%. Markelle Fultz averages 12.1 points per game while playing 27.8 minutes per contest. He grabs 3.3 rebounds per game and has 5.1 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is at 73%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Pelicans allow 116.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 27th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 19th and 18th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.0 rebounds a game which ranks 15th, and they give up 24.5 assists per contest which puts them in 14th place in the league. They force 14.5 turnovers per game which ranks them 17th in the league. New Orleans averages 115.7 points per contest this season, which ranks them 5th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -1.2 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 13th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 7th in the league. They average 46.6 rebounds per game and 26.9 assists per contest, which ranks them 5th and 2nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 2nd with 16.5 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Magic surrender 108.0 points per contest, which ranks them 5th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 18th and 23rd in those defensive statistics. They rank 17th with 24.8 assists allowed per contest, and 14th with 44.9 rebounds surrendered per game. The Magic are 18th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.6 per game. Orlando is 25th in the league with 106.9 points per game this year. They are 27th in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is -1.1. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 26th in the NBA. They are 15th in the league in rebounding with 44.7 boards per game and 18th in assists per contest with 23.9. The Magic are 27th in turnovers per game with 12.8.

Advanced Statistics

The Pelicans are 17th in the NBA in offensive rating with 110.5, and their defensive rating of 111.7 is ranked 19th. In terms of pace they are 2nd in the league with 103.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 7th. As a team they are 14th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 40% of their shots, ranking 9th in the league. New Orleans is 2nd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.4 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 14th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Orlando is 27th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.3 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 13th in the league. The Magic are 23rd in the NBA in offensive rating with 108.2, and their defensive rating of 109.3 is ranked 10th. In terms of pace they are 25th in the league with 98.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 28th. As a team they are 27th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 18th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Pelicans/Magic NBA game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take New Orleans +4.5

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