Can the Lakers Cover Against the Short-Handed Magic?

Orlando Magic (9-7 SU, 8-8 ATS) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (10-4 SU, 7-7 ATS)

When: Thursday, November 21st, 10:30 PM (ET)

Where: Crypto.com Arena, CA, Los Angeles

TV: SN-LA

Point Spread: Orl +5.5/LAL -5.5

Total: 217.5

Money Line: Orlando Magic +186/-224

Notable Injuries

Magic

• Wendell Carter Jr. (Questionable) Heel
• Paolo Banchero (Out) Oblique

Lakers

• Anthony Davis (Probable) Foot
• Christian Wood (Out) Knee
• Jarred Vanderbilt (Out) Foot
• Jaxson Hayes (Out) Ankle
• Rui Hachimura (Questionable) Ankle
• Jalen Hood-Schifino (Questionable) Groin
• Bronny James Jr. (Doubtful) Heel

At 10:30 ET, the Lakers (-224) will host the Magic (+186) in a non-conference matchup. The Lakers come into the game on a six-game winning streak and are favored by 5.5 points. The over/under line for the game is 217.5.

This game will be played at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The Lakers are 10-4 and currently sit in 3rd place in the Western Conference. The Magic are 9-7 and are 4th in the Eastern Conference.

Recent Form

Orlando fell to 9-7 on the season after a 104-93 loss to the Clippers on Wednesday. The Magic, who were -3.5 point favorites, not only lost but also failed to cover the spread. The combined score of 197 points fell short of the 205.5-point O/U line.

Orlando stayed competitive early, trailing 29-25 after the 1st quarter and edging the Clippers 29-28 in the 2nd. However, a 10-0 run by the Clippers pushed the score from 70-64 to 80-64, and Orlando couldn’t recover, entering the 4th quarter down 87-75. They held the Clippers to 17 points in the final period but only managed 18 points themselves.

The Lakers improved to 10-4 this season with a 124-118 win over the Jazz on Tuesday. Playing at home, Los Angeles entered the game as -10.5 favorites but didn’t cover the spread. The total score of 242 points exceeded the O/U line of 233.5 by 8.5 points.

Los Angeles dominated early, leading 34-22 after the 1st quarter and 97-75 going into the 4th. However, they allowed the Jazz to outscore them 43-27 in the final period, making the game closer than expected.

The Historicals

In terms of betting vs the spread, the Magic have gone 3-2, but the Lakers actually have a positive scoring differential. In these meetings, Los Angeles has averaged 112 points per contest while allowing 108. Over the course of these games, they averaged 220 points per game, leading a 2-3 over-under record.

Analysis

In their 104-93 loss to the Clippers, the Magic struggled offensively, shooting just 22.9% from three-point range, making only eight threes. Their overall field goal percentage was 44%.

Anthony Black led the Magic with 17 points, eight assists, and 2 made threes at 40%. Jalen Suggs added 16 points, and Franz Wagner contributed 14 points and six rebounds.

Even with a strong defensive effort in the 4th quarter, where the Magic held the Clippers to just 17 points, Orlando couldn’t overcome their defensive struggles earlier in the game, allowing 104 points in the loss. The Clippers shot 49% from the field, including 50% from beyond the arc, where they hit 11 threes.

Orlando sent the Clippers to the free-throw line 21 times, where they converted 17 attempts. The Magic also gave up 15 offensive rebounds but managed to collect 11 steals and seven blocks.

Dalton Knecht’s nine threes and 37 points, including 21 in the 3rd quarter, propelled the Lakers to a win over the Jazz. Knecht shot 75% from the field and from deep, hitting nine threes at a 75% clip.

LeBron James and Anthony Davis each added 26 points, with James also dishing out 12 assists. The Lakers shot 55.3% overall and 45.2% from three, making 14 threes in the game.

The Lakers’ defense was strong in the 1st and 2nd quarters, giving up just 22 points in each, but they struggled in the 4th, allowing 43 points. Despite this, they held on for the win, giving up 118 points on 50% shooting from the Jazz.

From three-point range, the Lakers limited the Jazz to 12 made threes on 33% shooting. They also sent Utah to the line 19 times, where they made 16 free throws. Defensively, the Lakers recorded nine steals and five blocks.

Betting Trends

• In their last ten games away from home, the Magic have a straight-up record of 2-8 while going 2-8 vs. the spread. The team averaged 101 points per game in this stretch.
• Although Los Angeles has a straight-up record of 2-1 in their last three home games, they have not held up as well vs. the spread going 1-2. The team averaged 112 points per game in these games.
• Going back to their last three games as the underdog, the Magic have a straight-up record of 0-3. But, their mark vs the spread was just 0-3.
• As the betting favorite, the Lakers have an ATS mark of just 5-5 in their last ten games. Los Angeles posted a straight-up mark of 9-1 in these matchups.

Joes Pick To Cover The Spread

This is a tough spot for the Magic, as they are not only without their top player, but they are coming off a loss and are playing on back-to-back nights. This is the final game of their West Coast road trip that has resulted in a win over the Suns but a disappointing loss to the Clippers. Look for Orlando to fall behind early in this one and pack it in. I’m taking the Lakers at -5.5.