Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports/Sipa USA – Photo by Icon Sport
Los Angeles Clippers vs Orlando Magic: Both teams are in the top 5 in their conferences
The Los Angeles Clippers are visiting the Orlando Magic at Kia Center on Friday.
The Clippers are on an East Coast road trip
The Los Angeles Clippers are fourth in the Western Conference with a 45-27 record. They have won three of the last five games and are coming off a 108-107 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. The Clippers are fourth in the league in three-point percentage (38.7%) and free-throw percentage (82%). They are ranked 12th in the NBA, scoring 116.3 points per game. Kawhi Leonard leads the team with 23.7 points per game, followed by Paul George with 22.5.
The Magic has lost the last two games
The Orlando Magic are fifth in the Eastern Conference with a 42-30 record. After winning five straight games, they have lost the last two and are coming off a 101-93 loss to the Golden State Warriors. The Magic are third in the league, allowing 108.7 points per game, and are ranked at the top of the league, allowing 84.3 field goal attempts per game. Paolo Banchero is the best player on the team, averaging 22.5 points per game.
Betting Trends
The Clippers have won 17 of the last 20 games against the Magic and 8 of the last 9 games played in Orlando. The Clippers are 7-1 SU in the last 8 games against teams from the Southeast Division. The Magic are 13-5 SU in the last 18 games overall and 1-5 SU in the last 6 games against teams from the Pacific Division.
Prediction and Conclusion
Both teams are in a promising situation going into the last month of the regular season. We all expected that from the Clippers, while the Magic are the biggest surprise in the Eastern Conference. They are coming off a tough loss to the Golden State Warriors, and it will get no easier against another team packed with experienced superstars. The Clippers are trying to pick up their form as playoff time approaches, and this East Coast road trip will be used for this. Orlando has a young core ready for the challenge, but they will fall short as the Clippers win this one.
