Los Angeles Lakers vs Orlando Magic Betting Pick & Prediction 3/24/25
At 7:00 ET, the Lakers (-186) will take on the Magic (+157) in a non-conference matchup. Los Angeles is currently favored by 4.5 points and the over/under line is set at 215.5.
SN-LA will have the TV coverage for this game, which will be played at the Kia Center in Orlando. The Lakers are 43-27 and in 4th place in the Western Conference, while the Magic are 33-38 and in 8th place in the East.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS VS ORLANDO MAGIC BETTING PICK
The Pick: Los Angeles Lakers -4.5
This game will be played at Kia Center at 7:00 ET on Monday, March 24th.
WHY BET THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 137-117 in favor of the Lakers.
- Our projections have Luka Dončić finishing with 27 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists.
- From the field, we have the Lakers finishing with a field goal percentage of 46.7% and knocking down 17 threes.
Will Los Angeles Shock Everyone at Kia Center?
The Lakers dropped to 43-27 on the season after a 146-115 loss to the Bulls on Saturday. Los Angeles, who were -10.5 point favorites at home, not only lost but failed to cover the spread by a significant margin. The total points for the game reached 261, exceeding the O/U line of 238.5 by 22.5 points.
After trailing by just one point at the end of the 1st quarter (32-31) and two points at halftime (33-31), the Lakers were outscored 39-27 in the 3rd quarter. Heading into the 4th quarter down 104-89, they were unable to mount a comeback, as the Bulls pulled away by outscoring them 42-26 in the final period.
Luka Dončić knocked down 8 threes at a 61.5% clip, finishing with 34 points, 17 of which came in the opening quarter. He also added 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Austin Reaves contributed 25 points, scoring 14 in the 2nd quarter, and hit 3 threes at 42.9% shooting.
As a team, the Lakers connected on 17 threes, shooting 41.5% from beyond the arc and 48.2% overall. LeBron James added 17 points, with 6 coming in the 4th quarter.
The Lakers struggled defensively on Saturday, giving up 146 points to the Bulls. They allowed at least 32 points in every quarter, including 39 in the 3rd and 42 in the 4th. Chicago shot 58% from the field.
From beyond the arc, the Bulls hit 19 threes at a 46% clip. The Lakers sent Chicago to the line 20 times, where they made 15 free throws. Defensively, the Lakers recorded 8 steals and 1 block.
Are Orlando Ready for a Home Win?
The Magic improved to 33-38 with a 120-105 win over the Wizards on Friday. Orlando was favored by 8.5 points and covered the spread, while the game’s total of 225 points went over the 214.5-point line.
Orlando took control early, going on a 13-0 run to cut the score from 78-62 to 78-75. They dominated the 3rd quarter, outscoring Washington 35-17, and entered the 4th with a 102-71 lead, allowing the Wizards to close the gap by winning the final quarter 34-18.
Paolo Banchero led the Magic to a win over the Wizards with 30 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists, hitting 3 threes at a 60% clip. Franz Wagner added 21 points, and Wendell Carter Jr. contributed 16 points and 12 rebounds.
Orlando hit 17 threes, shooting 40.5% from deep and 47.9% overall. Banchero scored 11 points in the 2nd quarter and 10 more in the 3rd, while Carter added 11 points in the opening period.
Despite giving up 30 points in the 1st quarter, the Magic tightened up defensively in the 2nd and 3rd, allowing just 24 and 17 points, respectively, to the Wizards. Even with a 34-point 4th quarter, Orlando held Washington to 105 points on 42% shooting overall.
The Magic struggled to defend the three, as the Wizards hit 17 threes at a 43% clip. Orlando sent Washington to the line 19 times, where they made 14 free throws. The Magic collected 42 defensive rebounds, gave up 8 offensive boards, and added 9 steals and 8 blocks.