The Orlando Magic and Utah Jazz are headed in opposite directions heading into this matchup. The Jazz are in the middle of an East Coast Road trip that is not going well. The Magic are fighting to get into the playoffs and are currently at the number seven seed.
The Jazz lost in Atlanta as a small-road favorite, while the Magic buried the Nets in their last outing. All roads seem to point to an Orlando win in this game, let’s take a closer look.
- Point Spread: Orlando -5.5
- Moneyline Orlando -235
- Moneyline Utah +195
- Over/Under 224.5
These odds were updated at 9 am EST on 02/29/24; the odds came from Draft Kings.
The spread on this game favors the Magic and for good reason as they are playing well and the Jazz are not playing well. The Jazz are in the middle of an East coast road swing that is not going well.
Our Best Pick: Orlando to Cover
Utah and Orlando are currently on opposite tracks and their motivations for moving forward stem directly from their playoff positioning. Utah appears to be drifting further out of contention and losing their edge to remain competitive for playoff qualification. The team is at full strength but have experienced recent disappointment, falling as 9.5-point favorites against Charlotte Hornets and 5-point favorites against the Los Angeles Lakers respectively.
Additionally, they have lost six of their last seven matches overall without performing particularly well recently. Orlando remains 7th in the Eastern Conference, but their chase for 6th keeps them focused. They even managed a win without Banchero last time out! Banchero may be an All-Star, but his teammates can go deep into their bench without losing production.
Banchero should return here and can team with Markkanen to eliminate Utah’s primary scoring threat; Utah have struggled lately and just lost to Atlanta on an east coast road trip; which allows the Magic to exploit their depth by running them off the floor and breaking them down with ease.
- Magic are Hot
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Jazz are Struggling
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Magic at Home
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Utah vs Orlando Moneyline
I do not see a path for the Jazz to win this game so the +195 looks great but the likely hood of winning the game is small. The Magic line at -235 is way too big, better off to give the points in this one.
- Jazz Struggling
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No value on the money line
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stay off the money line
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Utah vs Orlando Over/Under Analysis
These teams combined for a 91-79 game last time out and the over looks like the safer bet in this game as neither team defends well. Both teams did what they wanted on offense the last time out in Madison, Wisconsin and no reason exists to believe this will not go over the 142.5 line.
- Jazz struggle to score
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Banchero to play
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Magic depth to make a difference
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Utah vs Orlando Spread Analysis
The line looks about right to me, if anything I thought it would be more in the -6.5/-7 point range so nice value exists betting on the Magic at home to cover.
Tip: Bet Orlando to Cover
- Good Value on the Spread
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Jazz struggling on offense
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Game will be played in low 100’s
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Utah vs Orlando Player Props
Collin Sexton is my top prop pick in this game, he has been able to top this 18.5 points per game over half of the time in his last ten games. Sextin will have a big game tonight in a loss. Look for Banchero to return to the lineup tonight with a vengeance.
Tip: Bet Sexton over 18.5 points
- Banchero over 21.5 points
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Sexton over 2.5 Rebounds
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Suggs over 2.5 assists
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Utah vs Orlando Head to Head
All-Time the Utah Jazz lead this series 44-25, the Magic won a close one 115-113 st the start of the season. The Jazz won all three matchups between these teams last season.
Injuries and Suspensions
Kel’el Ware is questionable for the game as is Xavier Johnson. Indiana has not tipped their hand about the availability of either of these players. These will be most likely game time decisions. Purdue is healthy and ready to go for tonight’s matchup.
Utah Jazz Injury Report
- Walker Kessler – Questionable – Right Foot Sprain
- Otto Porter – Out – Not with team / Not injury related
Orlando Magic Injury Report
- Paolo Banchero – Questionable – Illness
- Jonathan Isaac – Questionable – Illness
Conclusion
This is a bad spot on the road for the Utah Jazz. I think Banchero plays tonight, and the Magic can win the game without him if needed, The Magic have been playing better than tyhe Jazz of late especially on the offensive end of the floor. I look for the Magic to pull away in the fourth quarter. Orlando 108 Utah 96. Take the Magic -5.5
