Check out our free Wizards 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.
Wizards vs Magic NBA Pick & Preview
- Sport: NBA
- Teams: Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic
- Where: Orlando at Amway Center
- Date: Friday, December 30th
- Betting Odds ORL +6.5, WAS -275 | ORL +215 O/U nan
The Wizards come into today’s matchup with an overall record of 15-21. So far, the team has gone 15-20-1 against the spread. Over the team’s 3 game win streak, they have an average scoring differential of 14.67 points per game.
Washington is going for yet another win, as they previously defeated the Suns. With the 127-102 victory, they also covered the spread as 2 point underdogs. Washington put together a strong second half, as they only held a 9 point lead going into halftime. Leading the team in scoring was Rui Hachimura, as he contributed 30 points while hitting 84.6% of his shots.
The Magic come into today’s matchup with an overall record of 13-23. So far, the team has gone 19-16-1 against the spread. Against the Wizards, the Magic are looking to break out of a 2 game losing streak. These defeats have come on an average scoring differential of -19.5 points per contest.
In their previous game, the Magic were favored to win vs the Pistons. However, their 121-101 loss gave them both a straight up and ATS defeat. Orlando struggled throughout the game, as they were not able to chip home at a 19 point halftime deficit. In the loss, Franz Wagner led the team in scoring with 19 points on a field goal percentage of 46.7%.
Head To Head Recap & Stats
Looking back to last season, the Wizards and Magic met up for games, with Washington winning the series 4-0. A large part of the team’s overall success vs Orlando, was their ability to win on the road as they were above .500 away from home in the series. Similar to their season-long average, the Wizards averaged 111.25 points per game vs the Magic. Just like the Wizards, the Magic maintained their usual level of scoring in head-to-head matchups, averaging 102.0 points per game vs Washington. Across the previous 5 meetings between the teams, the Wizards have an average scoring margin of +11 points per game, leading to an ATS mark of 3-1-1. Over the course of these games, they averaged 219 points per game, leading a 3-2 over-under record.
Odds & Free Betting Analysis For This NBA Game
The Wizards come into today’s game as the 20th ranked scoring offense at 111.8 points per game. When looking at the team’s pace of play, the Wizards are currently below the league average in possessions per game, averaging just 98.5 per contest. Right now, the Wizards offense is in search of answers, as not only do they tend to play at a slow pace, but they are just 16th in effective field goal percentage.
Currently, the Wizards defense is ranked 16th in points allowed. So far, opposing teams are averaging 112.0 points per game vs the unit.
This season, the Wizards offense has primarily worked through Kyle Kuzma and Kristaps Porzingis who are 1st and 2nd on the team in scoring. In his 35 games, Kuzma is 36th in the NBA at 21.6 points per game. So far, him and Porzingis have accounted for 38% of the team’s field goal attempts while combining to average 43.5 points per contest. In addition to sitting 2nd on the team in scoring, Kristaps Porzingis is grabbing 8.9 rebounds for Washington to go along with 2.5 assists.
Through 36 games, the Magic are averaging 110.0 points per contest, placing them 27th in the NBA. When looking at the team’s pace of play, the Magic are currently below the league average in possessions per game, averaging just 98.4 per contest. This slow style of play has made a difference in their overall scoring numbers, as Orlando is just 24th in made field goals per game.
Defensively, Orlando has had its problems giving up an average of 112.23 points per game (20th).
On offense, Franz Wagner leads the Magic in scoring at 19.7 points per game, placing him 55th in the NBA. Overall, Wagner has hit 47.8% of his shots while accounting for 17.4% of the team’s looks from the field. In today’s game, he will be working against a defensive unit that is 28th in points allowed to small-forwards. At 20.9 points per game, Paolo Banchero is the 2nd leading scorer for the Magic. For the season, he is 111st in the league in player efficiency rating, while posting a field goal percentage of 44.2%.
Wizards vs Magic Pick
- Free Spread Prediction: Wizards -6.5
- Free Total Prediction: Under nan
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