The Los Angeles Lakers (28-35) square off with the Orlando Magic (20-44) at Staples Center. The game can be seen on Fox SportsNet Florida at 10:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 7, 2018.
Los Angeles opened as a 6-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 227 points.
Orlando Magic vs. Los Angeles Lakers ATS Prediction
The Magic are hoping for a better outcome after their 94-80 loss to the Utah Jazz in their last outing. Utah’s 0.562 effective field goal percentage was their largest strength over Orlando, who had a mark of 0.406. The Jazz’s mark was above their season average of 0.522, while the Magic’s was below their season average of 0.524. Nikola Vucevic was Orlando’s leading scorer with 15 points on 6-for-11 shooting.
In the Lakers’ last game, they lost to the Portland Trail Blazers, 108-103. One of Portland’s biggest strengths was getting to the free throw line. They made 38 trips to the line, while Los Angeles went 31 times. With 21 points on 7-for-13 shooting, Julius Randle led Los Angeles in scoring.
This contest should be a showdown of contrasting styles. Los Angeles prefers a fast-breaking style of play (first in possessions per game), while Orlando is methodical (11th in possessions per game).
Orlando holds records of 20-44 straight up (SU) and 29-33-2 against the spread (ATS). Games including the Magic have a tendency to go under the total (56.3 percent).
Meanwhile, Los Angeles owns records of 28-35 SU and 35-28 ATS. Contrary to Orlando, Lakers games have a tendency to finish over the projected point total (55.6 percent).
A number of players have been playing well over the last five games for Los Angeles. Randle has led the way, averaging 19.8 points, 9.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (19.0 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.6 steals) and Isaiah Thomas (19.4 points and 5.2 assists) have also been exceptional.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. Randle recorded 20 points and nine rebounds in the first game, in which the Lakers lost 127-105, unable to cover as 3-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 232 points, which was 16 points above the projected point total of 216 points. Orlando’s effective field goal percentage was its biggest strength over Los Angeles. The Magic had a rate of 0.654 while the Lakers posted a mark of 0.494.
Orlando Magic vs. Los Angeles Lakers ATS Pick
Free Pick: SU Winner – Lakers, ATS Winner – Lakers, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Orlando is 17-15-1 ATS on the road with 17 unders and 16 overs.
At home, Los Angeles is 17-13 ATS with 16 overs and 14 unders.
Los Angeles is 11-3 when they allow below 100 points, while Orlando is 9-4.
The Magic are 20-26 when they reach 100 points, while the Lakers are 25-22.
Los Angeles ranks first in points in the paint per game (52.9) while Orlando ranks 29th in points allowed in the paint per game (49.1).
The Lakers rank second in second chance points per game (14.6) while the Magic rank 26th (10.6).
Los Angeles ranks second in rebounds per game (46.5) while Orlando ranks 26th in rebounds allowed per game (45.4).
The Lakers average 23.8 assists per game, which ranks sixth in the league. The Magic rank 26th in assists allowed per game (24.5).
Los Angeles ranks second in fast break points per game (17.3) while Orlando ranks 18th in fast break points allowed per game (12.2).
The Magic rank 13th in blocks per game (4.8) while the Lakers rank 28th in blocks allowed per game (5.6).
Orlando averages 29.3 three pointers per game, which ranks 13th in the NBA. Los Angeles ranks 21st in three pointers allowed per game (30.1).
The Magic rank 20th in points off turnovers per game (15.5) while the Lakers rank 26th in points off turnovers allowed per game (18.6).
Los Angeles averages 8.1 steals per game, which ranks 11th in the league. Orlando ranks 16th in steals allowed per game (7.9).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Orlando is 2-2-1 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Los Angeles is 4-1 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over their last five games.
The Magic’s average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 3.6, down from 4.3 for the season.
During their last five games, the Lakers have scored an average of 117.2 points per game (8.9 above their season average) and allowed an average of 109.0 points per game (1.0 below their season average).
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