Mar 21, 2023; Orlando, Florida, USA; Washington Wizards center Kristaps Porzingis (6) dribbles the ball against Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (34) during the second half at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports
The Magic beat the Wizards at home just 10 days ago and now hope to do the same in Washington tonight. Orlando is out of the playoff race but ending the season strong nonetheless, having won four of its last six games.
Washington, meanwhile, sits a couple of games outside of the No. 10 seed and needs a win to keep pace with Chicago.
Can the Wizards get much-needed revenge or will the Magic stay hot? Let’s take a look at the odds before I break down my best bet for the matchup.
Magic vs. Wizards Odds, Spread, and Total
Magic vs. Wizards Prediction and Pick
The Magic are hot right now and I’m sticking with them to notch another victory over the Wizards. Washington has the motivational edge, but Orlando is gelling at the perfect time and I see that continuing.
Paolo Banchero has had a superb March, averaging over 20 points and 7.2 rebounds per game this month. His play seems to have inspired Orlando, as the team is 8-2 against the spread (ATS) in its last 10 games.
During that stretch, Orlando has the 16th-best net rating (0.5) in the NBA. While Banchero is playing well, the Magic’s defense has been superb. It ranks sixth in rating (112.5) over that 10-game sample while the Wizards are 23rd (118.3).
That defensive advantage will prove to be the difference, as neither team ranks in the top 20 in offensive rating during that time span.
The game may be in Washington, but the team is just 16-20-1 ATS at home this season while Orlando is 22-15-1 ATS on the road. Trust this young Magic group to cover the spread for a sixth straight game and pull out the win.
Pick: Orlando Magic
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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.