The Orlando Magic (7-8) square off against the Los Angeles Lakers (8-6) at the Amway Center. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, November 17, 2018.
Los Angeles opened as a 5-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 222 points.
Los Angeles Lakers at Orlando Magic Free Prediction
In the Lakers’ last outing, they covered the 2-point spread against the Portland Trail Blazers, 126-117. The game’s combined points (243) finished well over the O/U total of 223. The Lakers made 23 of their 26 free throws (88.5 percent) and had a turnover percentage of 11.1 (better than their season average of 13.2). With 44 points on 13-for-19 shooting, LeBron James was the game’s high scorer.
The Magic defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in their last matchup, 111-106, despite being 5.5-point underdogs. The game’s combined points (217) finished just under the O/U total of 217.5. The Magic knocked down 19 of their 22 free throws (86.4 percent) and had a turnover percentage of 10.0 (better than their season average of 11.6). Nikola Vucevic was the top scorer from either team with 30 points on 10-for-19 shooting from the field.
After splitting two games last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. The Lakers won the most recent contest 108-107. Los Angeles had a better turnover percentage (13.0 vs. 14.8). Orlando, meanwhile, had a better offensive rebounding percentage (20.0 vs. 16.7).
Los Angeles holds records of 8-6 straight up (SU) and 5-9 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has been spot on when predicting totals of Lakers games, with an even split between overs and unders.
Meanwhile, Orlando owns records of 7-8 SU and 7-7-1 ATS. Magic games tend to finish under the O/U total (66.7 percent).
Terrence Ross has averaged 17.0 points over the last five games for Orlando.
Getting to the line might be hard to find for Orlando in this showdown. The Magic currently rank 30th in the NBA with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.145, while Los Angeles ranks eighth in FTA rate allowed (0.190). It will also be a showdown of opposite paces as the fast-breaking Lakers rank first in possessions per game, while the more half-court oriented Magic rank 26th.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Orlando Magic Odds Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Lakers, ATS Winner – Magic, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Los Angeles is 3-3 ATS on the road with 3 overs and 3 unders.
Orlando is 3-6 ATS at home with 7 unders and 2 overs.
Orlando is 2-0 when they hold opponents below 100 points, while Los Angeles is 1-0.
The Magic are 6-3 when they reach the century mark, while the Lakers are 8-6.
Los Angeles ranks second in points in the paint per game (57.7) while Orlando ranks 26th (41.7).
The Magic rank first in steals allowed per game (6.3) while the Lakers rank 20th (8.2).
Los Angeles ranks second in fast break points per game (22.5) while Orlando ranks 19th (11.5).
The Magic rank seventh in blocks per game (5.9) while the Lakers rank 19th in blocks allowed per game (5.8).
Los Angeles ranks 12th in rebounds per game (46.1) while Orlando ranks 23rd in rebounds allowed per game (47.5).
The Lakers rank fifth in assists per game (26.0) while the Magic rank 15th in assists allowed per game (23.5).
Orlando ranks 15th in points off turnovers per game (17.1) while Los Angeles ranks 24th in points off turnovers allowed per game (18.9).
The Magic average 14.4 second chance points per game, which ranks ninth in the NBA. The Lakers rank 18th in second chance points allowed per game (13.9).
Orlando ranks 13th in three pointers attempted per game (31.8) while Los Angeles ranks 15th in three pointers allowed per game (31.4).
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In its last five contests, Los Angeles is 2-3 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Orlando is 3-1-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over its last five games.
The Lakers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 3.0, up from 1.3 for the season.
During their last five games, the Magic have scored an average of 109.6 points per game (5.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 104.6 points per game (3.9 below their season average).
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