Who’s playing
New Orleans Pelicans @ Orlando Magic
Current records: New Orleans 42-26, Orlando 41-28
How to watch
- When: Thursday March 21, 2024 at 7 p.m. ET
- Or: Kia Center – Orlando, Florida
- TV: TVNB
- Follow: CBS Sports app
- Online broadcast: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
- Ticket cost: $20.00
What there is to know
The Pelicans are 2-8 against the Magic since February 2019 but they will have the opportunity to close the gap a little on Thursday. The New Orleans Pelicans will hit the road to face the Orlando Magic at 7 p.m. ET at the Kia Center. Each of these teams will be fighting to maintain a winning streak as the Pelicans come in with three and the Magic with four.
Even though the Pelicans haven’t done well against the Nets recently (they were 2-8 in their previous ten meetings), they didn’t let the past get in their way on Tuesday. New Orleans won against the Nets by a score of 104-91. The team piled up 64 points in the first half and used them to secure the victory.
Zion Williamson was the offensive star of the game, scoring 28 points and seven rebounds. He’s on a hot streak when it comes to points, as he’s now scored 26 or more in the last five games he’s played.
Meanwhile, defenses reigned supreme when the Magic and Hornets played Tuesday, rewarding bettors who took the risk on the season-low 203 points. Everything went Orlando’s way against the Hornets as the Magic came out on top with a 112-92 victory. The match was decided at halftime, when the score was already 67-32.
The Magic’s success was led by the efforts of Cole Anthony, who scored 21 points and six rebounds, and Jalen Suggs, who scored 16 points with six assists and three steals.
New Orleans has performed incredibly well recently as they have won seven of their last eight games, which significantly improved their record to 42-26 this season. As for Orlando, they improved their record to 41-28 with this victory, which was their third straight at home.
Looking ahead, the Pelicans should win a close competition, with the exception of the buzzer beaters. This contest will be their ninth straight as a favorite (so far in that stretch they are 7-1 ATS).
The Pelicans fell short against the Magic in their previous meeting in February 2023, losing 101-93. Can the Pelicans avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We’ll know soon enough.
Odds
New Orleans is a slight favorite with 2.5 points against Orlando, according to the latest NBA Odds.
Oddsmakers had a good idea of the line for this one, as the game opened with the Pelicans as 1.5-point favorites.
Oddsmakers are predicting a defensive matchup and setting the low/under at 208 points.
See NBA Pick for every game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get Picks Now.
History of the series
Orlando has won 8 of its last 10 games against New Orleans.
- February 27, 2023 – Orlando 101 vs. New Orleans 93
- January 20, 2023 – Orlando 123 vs. New Orleans 110
- March 9, 2022 – Orlando 108 vs. New Orleans 102
- December 23, 2021 – New Orleans 110 vs. Orlando 104
- April 22, 2021 – New Orleans 135 vs. Orlando 100
- April 1, 2021 – Orlando 115 vs. New Orleans 110
- August 13, 2020 – Orlando 133 vs. New Orleans 127
- December 15, 2019 – Orlando 130 vs. New Orleans 119
- March 20, 2019 – Orlando 119 vs. New Orleans 96
- February 12, 2019 – Orlando 118 vs. New Orleans 88
