The Los Angeles Lakers visit the Orlando Magic on Saturday, and if you’re looking to do some last-minute betting research, you’re in luck! We’ll give you the latest point spread, money line odds and over/under number, as well as the information you’ll need to make the smartest bet.
The Lakers, who are in third place in the Western Conference with a 45-25 record, are starting to distance themselves from the teams that are beneath them in the standings. They’re 2.5 games ahead of the Houston Rockets, a team they beat twice on Monday and Wednesday, and they’re on an eight-game winning streak.
They have started their three-game road trip with three victories, and they will look to make it nine wins in a row versus a short-handed Magic team that is 38-31 and has lost three contests in a row.
The lines, courtesy of BetMGM
Lakers vs Magic injury reports
Lakers: Austin Reaves (left hip soreness) is questionable. Maxi Kleber (lumbar back strain) is out.
Magic: Wendell Carter Jr. (left rib mild contusion) is questionable. Anthony Black (left lateral abdominal strain), Jonathan Isaac (left knee sprain) and Franz Wagner (left high ankle sprain injury management) are out.
Advice and Prediction:
Orlando defeated the Lakers in Los Angeles on Feb. 24 when the Lakers blew a 12-point lead and faltered in the final moments after holding a two-point lead with under 40 seconds left in the fourth quarter. L.A. seems to be in a much better place now than it was at that time, and it has managed to do a better job of holding onto leads over the last few weeks.
One thing that Orlando does well is get to the free throw line. It leads the NBA in foul shot attempts per game and foul shots made per game, and it is also eighth in free throw accuracy. Power forward Paolo Banchero, who averages 22.3 points and 8.5 rebounds a game, is fourth in the league with 8.1 free throw tries a game, so the Lakers will have to defend him without fouling. In that Feb. 24 matchup, he scored 36 points and went 10-of-11 from the charity stripe while also recording 10 rebounds and six assists.
Not having forward Franz Wagner, who is putting up 21.3 points per game, will hurt the Magic. Given the momentum the Lakers currently have, we’re going with them to win this game.
Prediction: Lakers 115, Magic 110
Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Prediction and betting odds for Lakers vs. Magic
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
