Pelicans vs Magic prediction NBA · Tuesday, February 2
At a glance
The Orlando Magic (1-3) host the New Orleans Pelicans (0-4) on Tuesday, February 2 at 7:00 PM ET at Kia Center in NBA action. The Basketlog model gives the Magic a 62% chance to win and projects a 112-116 score (Pelicans – Magic), about 229 total points. This season, the Magic are 0-2 at home and the Pelicans are 0-2 on the road. Since the start of the season: 1-3 for the Magic and 0-4 for the Pelicans (current streaks: Magic L1, Pelicans L4). A close game (margin of 5 points or fewer) happens in only 30% of cases according to the model. Fatigue: the Pelicans played the night before (back-to-back). Reported injuries: Dejounte Murray (Pelicans), Jordan Poole (Pelicans), Yves Missi (Pelicans), Jonathan Isaac (Magic), Jalen Suggs (Magic) and Paolo Banchero (Magic)…. Prediction confidence: medium.
The analysis Model
Slight edge to the Magic, but the Pelicans have what it takes to keep it close. The model projects Magic 116 – 112 Pelicans, a margin of about 3.9 points in favor of the Magic and a total around 229 points. Expect a game at a standard NBA pace. The Pelicans played yesterday: fatigue often shows in the fourth quarter. The Magic will be without Jonathan Isaac or Jalen Suggs (and 3 others). The Pelicans will be without Dejounte Murray or Jordan Poole (and 1 other). Early season: the numbers still lean heavily on last season, so confidence stays cautious.
- The Pelicans need to win the pace battle to stay in the game.
- The Magic's defense allows clearly fewer points (116.2 pts/game).
What tips the balance
Scenarios
Stat comparison Current season
NOORL
Players to watch
Pelicans
Zion WilliamsonF · #121.8pts / game
Dejounte MurrayG · #56.0assists
Derik QueenC · #229.2reboundsMagic
Franz WagnerF · #2219.5pts / gameFranz WagnerF · #226.0assists
Wendell Carter Jr.C · #349.0reboundsRecent form
NO
107-106L
123-120L
120-119L
141-135 OTL104-91ORL
136-115L
132-125L
115-93W
111-102L
129-99
ORL
Second opinion
Our model compared with ESPN's public model (BPI). When they agree, the prediction is more solid.
✓ Both models pick the same favorite.
Team comparison
| NO | ORL | |
|---|---|---|
| 0-4 | Record | 1-3 |
| 115.7 | Points scored / game | 113.6 |
| 120.5 | Points allowed / game | 116.2 |
| -4.1 | Adjusted margin / game | -2.3 |
| L4 | Current streak | L1 |
| 0-4 | Last 10 games | 1-3 |
| 0-2 road | Home / road record | 0-2 home |
| 26-56 (-4.5) | Last season | 45-37 (+0.6) |
| Yes | Played yesterday | No |
Injury report Pelicans
Injury report Magic
Probabilities estimated by the Basketlog model from available public data; early in the season they rely heavily on last season. They are neither a certainty nor betting advice.