Pelicans vs Magic Picks and Prediction – 3/21/2024

In the first game of a Thursday night NBA TV doubleheader, the New Orleans Pelicans will invade the Kia Center to take on the Orlando Magic. For other NBA action see our NBA Predictions. The Pelicans (42-26) have won three straight games and trail the LA Clippers by a half-game for fourth place in the Western Conference standings. On Tuesday, New Orleans built a 19-point halftime lead and cruised to a 104-91 road victory against Brooklyn.

New Orleans F Zion Williamson tallied a game-high 28 points on 11-for-16 shooting and pulled down seven boards. C.J. McCollum chipped in 16 points (6-12 FG) and five assists for the Pelicans, who shot 51 percent from the field. 

The Orlando Magic are riding a four-game winning streak and trail New York by a half-game for fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings. The Magic (41-28) rank fourth in the league in defensive efficiency and are allowing 108.8 points per contest. On Tuesday, Orlando outscored Charlotte by 25 points during the second quarter and shot 54 percent from the field during a 112-92 home victory. 

Orlando G Cole Anthony scored 17 points of his game-high 21 points in the second quarter and pulled down six boards. Jalen Suggs chipped in 16 points on 6-for-9 shooting and dished out six assists. All-Star F Paolo Banchero added 13 points and five assists for the Magic.