Pacers vs Magic Picks, Predictions & Odds Tonight

What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object? Probably the same thing that happens when the all-offensive Indiana Pacers travel to Florida to face the ice-cold, defensive-minded Orlando Magic.

With Tyrese Haliburton at the helm, Indiana plays a good attack while Orlando wants to reduce its opponents to dust before Paolo Banchero delivers the finishing blow. This gives rise to a fascinating clash of styles on Sunday March 10 and the NBA Odds have it as a virtual choice.

My free NBA picks for the Pacers vs. Magic on March 10, they’re looking for value in the Franz Wagner prop market.

Pacers vs. Magic odds

Pacers vs Magic Predictions

Franz Wagner is one of the pillars supporting the Magic of Orlando rebuild. He’s an incredibly crafty player, an exceptional finisher, and a solid contributor to one of the best defenses in the NBA. His feel at 6-foot-9 is also very strong.

But development is not linear and there is a glaring hole in Franz’s game that is only getting bigger and seriously hurting the Magic.

When analyzing the issues plaguing the Magic, their cramped offense is the first and most obvious problem. They’re just 23rd in offensive rating, and a lot of that is due to the lack of shooting up and down the roster. They rank dead last in 3-point attempts and fourth in efficiency.

Wagner is unfortunately part of the problem.

Although Franz has never been a great 3-point shooter, he has recently started to lose all confidence. In the Magic’s previous game, the New York Knicks completely abandoned Franz in the corner, challenging him to hit open shots from the easiest spot on the court.

He couldn’t make them pay, going 0 for 5 that night. Wagner has shot just 16.7% from downtown so far in March, after shooting just 29% in February.

Franz averaged 7.5 threes per game in October, but is now making just 4.5 despite opposing teams giving him virtually uncontested looks. He’s only made two or more threes twice in the last 11 games.

And unlike New York, the Indiana Pacers won’t be content with conceding three points to Franz either. The basic goal of their defense is to limit the opponent’s 3-point attempts, and they do it very well. At 29.3%, the Pacers are allowing the fewest threes as a percentage of total opponent shots of any team in the NBA, and by a wide margin.

With Franz in a shooting slump and the Pacers determined to keep him there, I believe these Franz Wagner odds beg for a bet on the Under.

My best bet: Franz Wagner Less than 1.5 three (-145 on bet365)

Parlay Pacers vs Magic in the same game

Franz Wagner Under 1.5 three

Magic -1.5

Pascal Siakam Less than 19.5 points

While either team could win this game, I just think the Magic have a stronger recent record to build on. Orlando is 20-8 ATS at home this season, which is the best mark in the Association.

It also has a +7.1 point differential over the past two weeks, almost nine points better than Indiana. While the Magic beat some lower-tier teams, they did so convincingly.

The last step is less of a bet against Pascal Siakam Rather, it’s a vote of confidence in the Magic’s entire defensive staff. Few teams have as strong a defensive core as Orlando. Having perhaps the best defender per minute in the NBA coming off the bench, Jonathan Isaac, is almost an impossible luxury.

Siakam prefers to do his damage in the paint and the Magic relish the wall off the rim. Isaac has the perfect combination of length, dexterity and strength to make life difficult for Pascal.

Learn how to bet on the same game with these helpful tips and strategies.

Pacers vs Magic Spread and Over/Under Analysis

While Sunday’s line briefly reached -2.5 in Orlando’s favor, it has generally held steady where it currently sits at -1.5.

The Pacers have had a spotty record as of late, to say the least. They had a solid win against the faltering Mavericks, but lost a close win to the short-handed Timberwolves and suffered heavy losses to the tank duo of the Spurs and Raptors before that.

The Magic just suffered a tough defeat against New York but had already won five in a row. While those were all against sub-.500 teams, Orlando is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games, compared to just 4-6 for Indiana.

The total has seen a significant decline. After opening at 230.5, it was bet as high as 226.5 at some sportsbooks. Given that many of the Pacers’ lines have opened in the 245-plus zone this season, that’s a powerful tribute to the Magic’s defense.

But it’s just as damning for their offense. They set a low bar for offensive performance this season on Friday when they finished with just 74 points against the Knicks who were still missing two of their best defensive players.

I don’t expect Orlando to be this inept against Indiana. Unlike New York, he will have size and strength advantages over most positions.

That said, the Magic tend to impose their will at home, and that tends toward low-scoring games. The Under are 16-12 in Orlando home games this season.

Pacers vs Magic betting trend to know

The Magic are 20-8 ATS at home this season. Find more NBA Betting Trends for Pacers vs. Magic.

Pacers vs Magic game information

Pacers vs Magic latest injuries

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