New Orleans Pelicans at Orlando Magic NBA Picks & Predictions 12/22/2017

Friday, December 22, 2017

Amway Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The New Orleans Pelicans head to Amway Center to take on the Orlando Magic on Friday, December 22, 2017. The opening line for this game has New Orleans as 3 point favorites.

The Pelicans come into this game with an overall record of 15-16. They are 3rd in the Southwest Division. They currently have a point differential of -1.1 as they are averaging 110.7 points per game while giving up 111.8 per contest. The Magic have an overall record of 11-21. They currently are 4th in the Southeast Division. They are averaging 105.7 points per game and surrendering 110.3, good for a point differential of -4.6.

Valuable New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 17-14-0 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 20-11-0 against the over/under

Important Orlando Magic Betting Trends

The Orlando Magic are 13-19-0 against the spread

The Orlando Magic are 16-16-0 against the over/under

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

12/12/17 G Tony Allen Knee is out indefinitely
10/20/17 C Alexis Ajinca Knee is out indefinitely
10/14/17 F Solomon Hill Hamstring is out indefinitely

Key Orlando Magic Injuries

12/21/17 F Aaron Gordon Calf is doubtful Friday vs New Orleans
12/21/17 F Jonathan Isaac Ankle injured last game, is doubtful Friday vs New Orleans
12/20/17 G Evan Fournier Ankle is "?" Friday vs New Orleans
11/30/17 G Terrence Ross Knee is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Demarcus Cousins comes into this game averaging 26.2 points per contest while playing 35.5 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 12.3 rebounds per contest and distributes 5.1 assists per game. His FG percentage is 47% while his free throw percentage is 74%. Jrue Holiday averages 18 points per contest in 37 minutes per game this year. He averages 5.6 assists per game and 4.5 rebounds per contest for New Orleans. His field goal percentage is 48% for the season while his free throw percentage is 83%.

Player Spotlight

Aaron Gordon has scored 18.3 points per contest while playing 33.3 minutes per game this season for the Magic. He hauls in 8 rebounds per contest and has 2.2 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is at 74%. Nikola Vucevic averages 17.8 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 30.8 minutes per game. He also brings in 9.6 rebounds per game and 3.4 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage is 83%.

Useful Team Statistics

New Orleans averages 110.7 points per contest this year, which is 5th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -1.16 and their shooting percentage is 49% as a unit, which has them ranked 2nd. From 3-point territory they shoot 38%, which is good for 6th in the NBA. They average 43 boards per contest and 26.5 assists per game, which ranks them 17th and 2nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 3rd with 16.5 per game. The Pelicans allow 111.8 points per contest which is 29th in the NBA. They also surrender a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 23rd and 22nd in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 43.6 rebounds a game which ranks 19th, and they allow 24.3 assists per game which puts them in 25th place in the league. They force 14.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 15th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Orlando is 13th in the NBA with 105.7 points per contest this season. They are 11th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is -4.59. They shoot 37% from beyond the arc, which is good for 14th in the league. They are 22nd in the NBA in rebounding with 41.8 boards per contest and 6th in assists per game with 23.7. The Magic are 14th in turnovers per contest with 14.9. The Magic give up 110.3 points per game, which ranks them 27th in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 47% shooting percentage and a 38% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 24th and 28th in those defensive statistics. They rank 28th with 25.1 dimes allowed per game and 29th with 46.4 boards surrendered per contest. The Magic are 13th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.6 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Pelicans are 9th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.5, and their defensive rating of 110.6 is ranked 4th. In terms of pace they are 6th in the league with 100.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 55% is 4th. As a team they are 4th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 12th in the league. New Orleans is 3rd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 8th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Orlando is 17th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.9 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 11th in the league. The Magic are 22nd in the NBA in offensive rating with 105.5, and their defensive rating of 110.1 is ranked 7th. In terms of pace they are 7th in the league with 99.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 11th. As a team they are 16th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 13th in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take New Orleans -3

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