Magic favored vs. struggling Pelicans

The Orlando Magic are poised to pick up a road victory against the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday night, entering the matchup as favorites. This comes as a significant boost to the Magic's offense with the recent return of Franz Wagner from injury.

Orlando has a challenging path ahead in the Eastern Conference standings but secured a vital win against Dallas on Friday. However, their recent form shows a 3-7 record in their last ten games. The Pelicans are on a difficult streak, having lost seven consecutive games and continuing to slide in the Western Conference.

New Orleans' lack of draft pick control for 2026 makes this a lost season for players like Zion Williamson. Franz Wagner, despite playing limited minutes, has shown solid performance with 12 and 18 points in his recent games. He averages 20.9 points per game, making him a strong bet.

Every remaining game is critical for Orlando. The Pelicans have lost their last seven games by four or more points, indicating a significant struggle. They have fallen to 20th in the NBA in net rating since the All-Star break, and betting against teams with little incentive to win has proven successful lately.

The Magic hold a 17-13 record when Wagner plays this season, and his role is expected to increase. Orlando has also dominated New Orleans recently, winning eight straight matchups, including a 10-point victory earlier this season. The Magic are expected to secure a much-needed win.