luka-doncic.jpg
Getty Images

The Orlando Magic look to halt a three-game losing streak when they take on the visiting Indiana Pacers in an NBA matchup on Friday. The Magic (17-34), who have lost four in a row in the series, including a 120-118 overtime loss at Indiana on Jan. 22, are just 10-18 against Eastern Conference opponents. The Pacers (23-27), who are 13-17 against the East, have played well on the road this season, going 14-12. Indiana is 5-5 over its last 10 games, while Orlando is 3-7.

The game from Amway Center in Orlando, Fla., is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. The Pacers are averaging 113.2 points per game, while the Magic average 104.5. Indiana is a five-point favorite in the latest Pacers vs. Magic odds from William Hill Sportsbook, while the over-under for total points scored is set at 222.5. Before finalizing any Magic vs. Pacers picks, be sure to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times, and it has returned almost $8,900 in profit on its top-rated NBA picks over the past two-plus seasons. The model is up almost $900 on its top-rated picks this season, and dating back to last year, it entered Week 16 of the 2020-21 NBA schedule on a stunning 93-59 roll on top-rated NBA picks against the spread. Anybody who has followed it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Pacers vs. Magic. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Now, here are several NBA odds and betting trends for Magic vs. Pacers:

  • Pacers vs. Magic spread: Pacers -5
  • Pacers vs. Magic over-under: 222.5 points
  • Pacers vs. Magic money line: Pacers -200, Magic +175
  • IND: Is 4-1 against the spread in its last five road games vs. a team with a losing home record
  • ORL: Is 5-1 ATS in its last six Friday games

Why the Pacers can cover

Indiana has several injury concerns entering this matchup with Myles Turner (ankle) ruled out and Domantas Sabonis (ankle) and Malcolm Brogdon (hip) listed as questionable. The Pacers, however, have finally been seeing some benefits from a trade made earlier this season. Guard Caris LeVert, acquired in a four-team deal on Jan. 16, is averaging 17.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.4 steals per game. 

He missed 26 games due to a medical condition after he was acquired before making his first start with the Pacers on March 13 at Phoenix. Against the Timberwolves on Wednesday, LeVert scored 18 points, grabbed five rebounds and dished out four assists. Prior to the trade, he scored 20 or more points in a career-high five games. He led the Brooklyn Nets with 43 points and made a career-best seven 3-pointers at Memphis on Jan. 8.

Why the Magic can cover

Orlando still has some scoring punch despite recently trading away its top two scorers in Nikola Vucevic and Evan Fournier. Center Wendell Carter Jr., acquired on March 25 from the Chicago Bulls, is already making his mark. He has made three starts for the Magic and is averaging 15 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.17 blocks per game with the team. He has led Orlando in scoring twice and tied for the team lead once. He has also led the Magic in rebounding four times. 

Guard Dwayne Bacon has also come up big for the Magic and has made 33 starts this season. He is averaging 10.4 points, three rebounds and 1.2 assists per game, leading the team in scoring once, in rebounding once and in assists twice. He has scored in double figures 27 times and has reached 20 or more points three times, including a career-high 26 points on March 28 at Los Angeles against the Lakers

How to make Magic vs. Pacers picks

SportsLine's model is leaning under on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 214 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits well over 60 percent of the time. You can get that pick at SportsLine.

So who wins Magic vs. Pacers? And which side of the spread hits well over 60 percent of the time? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that is on a 93-59 roll on NBA picks.