Offense meets defense when the Los Angeles Lakers (33-7) welcome the Orlando Magic (19-21) to Staples Center. The game is scheduled to begin at 10:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 15, 2020.
Orlando Magic at Los Angeles Lakers Betting Prediction
The Magic will be looking for a similar outcome after covering the 1-point spread against the Sacramento Kings in their last matchup, 114-112. The total points for the game (226) came in over the O/U total of 212. The Magic made 25 of their 30 free throws (83.3 percent) and held the Kings to an offensive rebounding percentage of 12.8 (below their season average of 22.6). Orlando was lifted by Nikola Vucevic, who was the team’s high scorer with 26 points on 9-for-23 shooting.
In the Lakers’ last game, they had no trouble getting past the Cleveland Cavaliers, 128-99, easily covering as 14-point favorites. The game’s combined points (227) were over the projected point total of 222. The Lakers forced 19 turnovers and had a free throw rate of 0.239 (above their season average of 0.194). With 21 points and 15 rebounds, Dwight Howard played well for Los Angeles.
The game should be a battle of strength against strength as the high-powered offense of Los Angeles takes on the stingy defense of Orlando. The Lakers rank fourth in offensive efficiency, while the Magic are fifth in defensive efficiency.
Orlando comes into the game with records of 19-21 straight up (SU) and 19-17-4 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has a tendency to set the total high when the Magic are involved, as 55.0 percent of their games have ended under the total.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles is 33-7 SU and 22-17-1 ATS. Games involving the Lakers also have typically finished under the O/U total (55.0 percent).
This is the second game of the season between these two squads. LeBron James put up 25 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in the first matchup, in which the Lakers beat the Magic 96-87, covering as 8.5-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 183 points, which was 27.5 points below the projected point total of 210.5 points. The Lakers had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (26.7 vs. 17.8) and had a better turnover percentage (12.0 vs. 13.7).
Magic at Lakers Free Pick
Free Pick: ATS Winner – Magic, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
On the road, Orlando is 10-7-2 ATS with 11 overs and 8 unders.
At home, Los Angeles is 11-8-1 ATS with 12 unders and 8 overs.
When holding opponents below 100 points, Orlando is 11-4 and Los Angeles is 14-0.
In games where they reach 100 points, the Lakers are 29-7 and the Magic are 15-9.
Los Angeles ranks second in points in the paint per game (53.9) while Orlando ranks 28th (44.4).
The Lakers rank second in fast break points per game (18.1) while the Magic rank 21st (12.0).
Los Angeles ranks fifth in assists per game (25.9) while Orlando ranks 24th (22.4).
The Lakers rank fifth in second chance points per game (14.6) while the Magic rank 22nd (12.4).
Orlando ranks third in steals per game (8.7) while Los Angeles ranks 19th in steals allowed per game (8.0).
The Lakers rank third in rebounds allowed per game (42.0) while the Magic rank 19th (46.3).
Orlando ranks first in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.1) while Los Angeles ranks 10th (16.1).
The Lakers rank first in blocks per game (7.3) while the Magic rank eighth in blocks allowed per game (4.4).
In its last five games, Orlando is 4-1 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Los Angeles is 4-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over its last five games.
The Magic’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 6.2, up from 0.3 for the season.
During their last five games, the Lakers have scored an average of 121.0 points per game (7.1 above their season average) and allowed an average of 101.8 points per game (3.3 below their season average).
