Jazz vs Magic Pick, Preview & Betting Odds For Thursday, March 9th

Check out our free Jazz vs Magic pick and preview for this NBA game in Orlando. See who we like to win and cover the spread in this NBA matchup.

Jazz vs Magic NBA Pick & Preview

Sport: NBA
Teams: Utah Jazz at Orlando Magic
Where: Orlando at Amway Center
Date: Thursday, March 9th
Betting Odds ORL -3.5, UTA +131 | ORL -156 O/U 233.0

The Jazz come into today’s matchup with an overall record of 31-35. So far, the team has gone 34-29-3 against the spread. Over the Jazz current 4 game losing streak, they have an average scoring differential of -12.25 points per game.

Utah will be gunning to get in the win column vs the Magic, as they previously lost to the Mavericks by a score of 120-116. However, because they entered as 10 point underdogs, they came away with an ATS win. In the game, Utah entered the 2nd half all knotted up at 59. In the loss, Lauri Markkanen led the team in scoring with 33 points on a field goal percentage of 60.0%.

So far, the Magic have put together an overall record of 27-39, while going 35-30-1 vs the spread. The Magic head into today’s action in the midst of a 2 game losing streak. Their average scoring differential in these defeats is -7.0.

Orlando is trying to bounce back from a 134-123 loss to the Bucks. Going into this game, the team was 2 point underdogs on the spread, giving them an ATS loss. Orlando struggled throughout the game, as they were not able to chip home at a 10 point halftime deficit. In the loss, Cole Anthony led the team in scoring with 23 points on a field goal percentage of 52.9%.

Head To Head Recap & Stats

In the most recent game between the two teams, the Jazz picked up a 112-108 win over the Magic. However, heading into the game, Utah was favored to win by 5.5 points, giving the Magic and ATS victory. This has been the only matchup between the two teams this season. Last year, the Jazz saw a drop in overall scoring when playing the Magic, averaging 107.0 points per game. While the Jazz struggled on offense in the series, the Magic maintained their usual level of scoring at 103.0 vs Utah. The ATS record across the previous 5 head-to-head meetings is 3-2 in favor of the Jazz. In these matchups, Utah has averaged 117 points per game, while allowing 102. A combined average of 219 points per game was achieved in these matchups, leading to an over-under mark of 2-3.

Odds & Free Betting Analysis For This NBA Game

Coming into today’s action, Utah is averaging 117.0 points per contest. This figure places them 6th in the league. So far, Utah is averaging 100.3 possessions per game, making them one of the more up-tempo teams in the league. Not only is the team ranked near the top of the league in possessions, but this fast-paced style has translated to an increased number of made shots, as they are 11th in the league in made field goals per game.

Against the Magic, the Jazz will look to continue their strong defensive play. For the year, they are the 10th ranked unit at 107.57 points per game.

Before getting a bet down on this matchup, be sure to check in on the health status of Jordan Clarkson who is 2nd on the team in scoring at 20.8 points per game. At the time of this article, Clarkson is listed as questionable. For the season, he is 1st on the team in usage rate and is 146th in the NBA in player efficiency rating. If he is able to play, Utah benefit from having both of their top scorers as Lauri Markkanen leads the team and is 19th in the league in scoring (25.3). For today’s matchup, he will going against a defense ranked 15th in points allowed to power-fowards.

This season, the Orlando offense has had their problems scoring the ball as they are a below average unit at 111.2 points per game. So far, the Magic are averaging 98.9 possessions per game, which places them below the NBA average. A key aspect of the team’s offensive struggles is the fact that they not only play at a slow pace, but they struggle to score inside. Heading into today’s game, Orlando is just 15th in shots made inside the arc.

On defense, the Magic will look for some improved play, as they are currently the 20th ranked unit in points allowed per game.

On offense, Franz Wagner leads the Magic in scoring at 18.8 points per game, placing him 63rd in the NBA. Overall, Wagner has hit 48.7% of his shots while accounting for 16.3% of the team’s looks from the field. In today’s game, he will be working against a defensive unit that is 5th in points allowed to small-forwards. At 20.0 points per game, Paolo Banchero is the 2nd leading scorer for the Magic. For the season, he is 162nd in the league in player efficiency rating, while posting a field goal percentage of 42.3%.