Washington Wizards vs Orlando Magic Prediction: Teams Moving In Opposite Directions Meet In Orlando
The Washington Wizards travel to Florida on Thursday night for a Southeast Division meeting with the Orlando Magic. The two teams enter this contest in very different positions as the regular season moves deeper into March. Washington has struggled throughout the year and sits near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings with a 16-48 record, while Orlando continues to stay competitive in the playoff picture with a 36-28 record and a strong 20-11 home record. Before this contest tips off, you will find my Wizards vs Magic prediction right here.
One of the biggest storylines entering this game is the contrasting defensive performance between the teams. Washington has struggled to contain opposing offenses all season, giving up roughly 123.7 points per game. That number ranks near the bottom of the league and has been a major factor in the Wizards' poor record. Opponents have consistently found success shooting against them and attacking the paint, including Bam Adebayo, who scored 83 points against them the last time the Wizards took the court. Orlando brings a far more balanced team into this contest. The Magic average more than 115 points per game while allowing about 114, and they have been especially effective at home.
It is worth noting that the Magic are on the second game of a back-to-back here. They earned an impressive win over the Cleveland Cavaliers at home last night. And while they will be expected to win comfortably in this contest, fatigue oculd be a factor for them entering Thursday night.
Orlando Magic
Washington Wizards
Category | Washington Wizards | Orlando Magic |
|---|---|---|
Points per game | 112.6 | 115.3 |
Points allowed per game | 123.7 | 113.8 |
Team Field Goal % | 46% | 46% |
Rebounds per game | 42.9 | 43.6 |
Assists per game | 25.1 | 26.6 |
I don't rate this game with particularly high confidence, only because the Magic are on the second game of a back-to-back. The Wizards could compete here solely based on the fact that the Magic are operating on tired legs and could even rest some players. But if the Magic look anything like their normal selves here, they should steamroll the Wizards and I'd lean toward laying the points with them on Thursday night.
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