Orlando Magic vs. Washington Wizards Predictions NBA Today

© Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports

Game Preview: Orlando Magic vs. Washington Wizards - March 31, 2023

The Orlando Magic and Washington Wizards will square off in Eastern Conference action on Friday. The Wizards are ranked 4th in the conference with 25.4 assists per game, led by Monte Morris averaging 5.3. The Magic have a 6-8 record against the rest of their division and are 19-26 against opponents over .500. The two teams have faced off three times this season, with the Magic winning the last matchup 122-112 on March 21. Gary Harris led the way with 22 points for Orlando. Kyle Kuzma is shooting 44.9% and averaging 21.2 points for the Wizards, while Kristaps Porzingis is averaging 20.5 points over the last 10 games. According to NBA picks experts, NBA picks computer predictions, and NBA picks and parlays, this game could go either way. NBA experts picks today and best NBA bets today suggest that the Magic and Wizards both have a chance to come out on top. NBA picks with spread and NBA predictions today also show that the odds are close. The Wizards are currently 11th in the Eastern Conference with a 34-42 record, while the Magic are 13th with a 32-44 record. The game will take place in Washington at 7pm EDT.

Magic: Offensive Analysis

In their upcoming game against the Washington Wizards, the Orlando Magic will need to step up their offensive game if they hope to come out on top. According to the stats, the Magic currently rank 26th in the league for points per game, averaging just 111.7. Their effective field goal percentage also leaves something to be desired, as they rank 23rd in the league with 53.3%. The team struggles to take advantage of their opportunities in the paint, with only 50.1 points per game, ranking them 17th in this category. While their assists per game sit at a discouraging 23.1, the Magic's turnover rate is even more concerning. Their 15 turnovers per game rank them 24th in the league, and the team struggles to capitalize on their opportunities with an assist-to-turnover ratio of only 1.543, second to last in the league. In addition to their offensive struggles, the Magic will face a tough challenge in the Washington defense. The Wizards have a top 10 ranking for opponent effective field goal percentage, which could pose a significant obstacle for Orlando's offense. To win this game, the Magic will need to improve their offensive output by capitalizing on opportunities in the paint and minimising turnovers. They will also need to strategize ways to break through the Washington defense and create scoring opportunities. A win against the Wizards could provide a much-needed confidence boost for the struggling Orlando team. Choose the best NBA picks with spreads and predictions from NBA experts such as NBA picks computer and NBA picks and parlays, and stay up to date with the latest NBA news and trends to make informed decisions on NBA picks for today.

Magic: Defensive Analysis

The Orlando Magic will take on the Washington Wizards in Eastern Conference action on March 31, 2023. As the game approaches, experts and computer-generated predictions are abound when it comes to NBA picks, but what can be expected from Orlando's defensive performance? Let's take a closer look. The Magic currently rank 17th in the NBA in points allowed per game, giving up an average of 114.2 points to their opponents. However, they've been able to limit their conference rivals to 109.0 points per game, suggesting they may be able to keep the Wizards in check on Friday night. Orlando's defense is also strong in terms of rebounding, ranking 9th in the league in total rebounds allowed per game. Their opponents have only averaged 50.1 rebounds per game against them. This could prove to be an advantage against Washington, who ranks 16th in the NBA with 49.6 rebounds per game. Although the Magic have struggled to defend the three-point line this season, surrendering 12.9 three-pointers per game on average, they've been solid when it comes to steals. Orlando ranks 12th in the league in steals per game with 7.3, which may allow them to force turnovers and create additional scoring opportunities. In conclusion, while Orlando has some defensive weaknesses, they do have strengths that could give them an edge against the Wizards. As they face their conference rival, look for the Magic to focus on rebounding and steals, while attempting to limit their opponents' scoring opportunities.

Wizards: Offense Analysis

In their upcoming game against the Orlando Magic, the Washington Wizards will need to step up their offensive game. Currently ranked 22nd in points per game, the Wizards have struggled to consistently put up high scoring numbers. However, they do have some top performers on their team who can make a difference. Kyle Kuzma, shooting at a 44.9% average and averaging 21.2 points, has been a force for the Wizards. Kristaps Porzingis has also been impressive over the last 10 games, averaging 20.5 points. With these players leading the charge, the Wizards will need to focus on efficient scoring to come out with a win. Unfortunately, the Wizards have struggled in other areas of offense, including their three-point shooting percentage and fast break points. These weaknesses could give the Orlando Magic an edge in the upcoming game. However, expert NBA picks and computer NBA picks still predict a win for the Wizards. With Monte Morris leading the team in assists at 5.3 per game, the Wizards have a strong chance to dominate offensively. As long as they can keep turnovers low and capitalize on their strengths, the Wizards should be able to secure a victory.

Wizards: Defensive Analysis

In their upcoming game against the Orlando Magic, the Washington Wizards will need to tighten up their defensive play to come away with a win. The Wizards currently rank 16th in the league in points allowed per game, giving up an average of 113.8 points to their opponents. In their last 10 games, the Wizards have allowed an average of 111.5 points, which is not an encouraging trend. Washington will need to focus on improving their perimeter defense in particular, as they rank 17th in the league in opponent three-point percentage at 36.4%. This could pose a problem against Orlando, who average 10.7 made three-pointers per game and shoot 34.6% from beyond the arc. Additionally, the Wizards will need to improve their rebounding efforts. They currently rank 5th in the league in defensive rebounds per game, but only 20th in offensive rebounds. This could become an issue against Orlando, who average 50.1 points in the paint per game. If the Wizards can tighten up their perimeter defense and improve their rebounding, they should have a good chance at slowing down Orlando's offense and coming away with a win. However, if they continue to struggle defensively, it could be a long night for Washington.

Injury Report

The Orlando Magic will be missing Jonathan Isaac due to hamstring injury, while Kevon Harris is listed as day-to-day with an elbow issue. The Washington Wizards will be without Bradley Beal, who is listed as day-to-day with a knee injury, and Daniel Gafford, who is also day-to-day with a foot injury. Kyle Kuzma is another day-to-day player for the Wizards, dealing with an ankle injury. Both teams have had their fair share of injury concerns this season, but it seems the Wizards have had a bit more luck in terms of key players avoiding long-term absences. However, the Magic have shown that they can still compete even with players missing from their lineup, as they have been able to stay competitive in games despite their record. The injury report for this game could play a factor in terms of predicting a winner, but with both teams dealing with various injuries, it could come down to which team can make the most of their healthy players and execute their game plan effectively. NBA picks experts and NBA picks computer predictions may have to take into account the injury report for this game, but ultimately, it will be up to the teams to overcome those injuries and come out with a win.

Betting Trends

The Orlando Magic and Washington Wizards are both struggling teams that are out of playoff contention in the Eastern Conference. Here are some key betting trends to consider for their upcoming matchup: - The Wizards have a slightly better record than the Magic, but they have struggled recently, winning just three of their last ten games. On the other hand, the Magic have won five of their last ten games. - When it comes to betting against the spread, the Magic have been slightly more successful than the Wizards this season. Orlando has a 35-40-1 record ATS, while the Wizards are 32-42-2 ATS. - The total has gone over in six of the Magic's last ten games, while the total has gone under in six of the Wizards' last ten games. However, when these two teams have faced each other this season, the over has hit in all three matchups. - When it comes to betting on the money line, both teams have been relatively even this season. The Magic have a 32-44 record straight up, while the Wizards have a 34-42 record straight up. - Finally, when it comes to expert predictions and computer picks, the consensus seems to be in favor of the Wizards. According to NBA Picks Experts, the Wizards are favored by a margin of 6 points, while NBA Picks Emp predicts a final score of 115-109 in favor of the Wizards.

NBA Prediction: Magic vs. Wizards

In this Eastern Conference matchup, the Magic will take on the Wizards in what should be a competitive game. While Washington currently sits in a higher position than Orlando in the standings, the Magic have proven to be a scrappy team that can hang with anyone on any given night. Although the Wizards have some explosive offensive players in Kyle Kuzma and Kristaps Porzingis, they've struggled to find consistency as a team lately, as evidenced by their 3-7 record over their last 10 games. Meanwhile, the Magic have been playing better basketball as of late, going 5-5 in their last 10 games and coming away with a win in their most recent matchup against the Wizards. While the Wizards are the favorites in this game, I believe the Magic are being undervalued by oddsmakers. With a spread of 6.5 points, I like the Magic to cover and potentially even pull off the upset against the struggling Wizards. Look for Orlando's Gary Harris to continue his hot shooting from beyond the arc and lead the Magic to a hard-fought victory on Friday night. 

Pick: Magic (+6.5)