The Orlando Magic gave up a career-high 51 factors to Rookie of the Year favourite Cooper Flagg on Friday night time however managed to care for the Dallas Mavericks anyway, profitable 138-127 to deal with enterprise on the primary leg of a two-game highway journey that concludes Sunday in opposition to the New Orleans Pelicans.
The season’s solely journey to the Big Easy is subsequent for the Magic, marking the ultimate highway sport of the common season in opposition to a Western Conference opponent. While New Orleans has been eradicated from the playoff image for a very long time attributable to a brutal begin that resulted in Willie Green being the one head coach fired, Orlando has locked up a berth within the postseason and is making an attempt to win its approach out of the play-in.
The Magic have virtually no room for error to be able to end No. 6, getting into Sunday two full video games behind the Toronto Raptors whereas vying with 4 different groups harboring the identical purpose. With powerful house video games in opposition to Detroit and Minnesota up subsequent previous to a closing pair of highway assessments in Chicago and Boston, a loss to the Pelicans would squash any optimism remaining among the many group.
The Magic are 17-19 on the highway and 17-11 in opposition to Western Conference foes. The Pelicans are 16-23 at house and 9-20 in opposition to East opponents.
Vitals – How to Watch Magic at Pelicans
Game date, time and placement: Sunday, April 5, 7:10 p.m. EST, Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
TV: FanDuel Sports Network Florida (Magic), Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network (Pelicans)
Radio: FM 96.9 The Game/AM 740 WYGM (Magic), WWL (Pelicans)
Magic look to defeat Pelicans for ninth consecutive time
The Orlando Magic (41-36) go to the New Orleans Pelicans (25-53) hoping to lock up their second profitable season in three years after ending .500 final season. Standing in the best way of win No. 42 is a staff they’ve defeated eight straight instances.
The Pelicans misplaced in Orlando 128-118 on Jan. 11, squandering a 98-91 edge getting into the fourth quarter. Desmond Bane scored a game-high 27 factors, whereas Anthony Black added 26.
Orlando hasn’t misplaced to the Pelicans since Dec. 23, 2021. The Magic has received eight straight in New Orleans, final shedding on Jan. 18, 2017. This surge has Orlando up 30-20 within the all-time collection relationship again to 2003.
Betting Lines (via DraftKings)
Spread: Magic -5.5 (-115), Pelicans +5.5 (-105)
Moneyline: Magic -218, Pelicans +180
Total: 236.5 (Over -105, Under -115)
Game odds refresh periodically and are topic to vary. If you or somebody you already know has a playing downside and desires assist, name 1-800-GAMBLER.
PROJECTED STARTERS
MAGIC
F Franz Wagner
F Paolo Banchero
C Wendell Carter Jr.
G Jalen Suggs
G Desmond Bane
PELICANS
F Saddiq Bey
F Zion Williamson
C Yves Missi
G Jeremiah Fears
G Herb Jones
INJURY REPORT
MAGIC
Anthony Black: Out – Left Lateral Abdominal Strain
Jonathan Isaac: Out – Left Knee Sprain
Jett Howard: Out – Left Ankle Sprain
Colin Castleton: Out – G League (Two-way)
Alex Morales: Out – G League (Two-way)
PELICANS
Dejonte Murray: Out – Left Hand Contusion
Trey Murphy III: Out – Right Ankle Sprain
Bryce McGowens: Out – Right Small Toe Fracture
Karlo Matkovic: Out – Lower Back Spasms
