by Rod Pearson
Monday, Feb 23, 2026
Game Time: 10:30 pm ET, Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Venue: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Where to Watch: FDSFL, SPECSN
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Magic +6.5, Lakers -6.5; Over/Under: 226.5 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Magic +6.5, Lakers -6.5; Over/Under: 226.5 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Magic +6.5, Lakers -6.5; Over/Under: 226.5 points
Season Record
Orlando Magic: 30-26 (1st place, Southeast Division)
Los Angeles Lakers: 34-22 (1st place, Pacific Division)
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Recent Form
Orlando Magic: 6-4 last 10
Los Angeles Lakers: 6-4 last 10
Orlando Magic vs Los Angeles Lakers Preview and Analysis
The Magic are entering this game with a 30-26 record overall this season and they are 12-15 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Los Angeles Clippers. Desmond Bane led the team in points in that game with 36 while Paolo Banchero was next on the team with 16 points. Paolo Banchero led the team in assists in that game with 8 while Wendell Carter Jr. led the team in rebounds with 14. They were 48.2% from the field, 34.8% from 3-point range, and 74.2% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 115.2 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 114.7 PPG against them. The Magic have an ATS record of 24-32 this season and their O/U record is 29-27.
The Lakers are entering this game with a 34-22 record overall this season and they are 16-11 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a loss against the Boston Celtics. Luka Dončić led the team in points in that game with 25 while LeBron James was next on the team with 20 points. LeBron James led the team in assists in that game with 5 while Deandre Ayton and Austin Reaves each led the team in rebounds with 7. They were 39.1% from the field, 30% from 3-point range, and 66.7% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 115.7 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 116 PPG against them. The Lakers have an ATS record of 30-26 this season and their O/U record is 31-25.
Magic vs Lakers Prediction
The current betting odds have the Lakers listed as a 6.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Lakers have looked good in their games this season with their 34-22 record overall which has them in the top half of the West. They have looked good on their home court too with their 16-11 home record this season. Meanwhile, the Magic have looked good in their games this season with their 30-26 record overall which has them right in the middle of the East. They haven't been a great road team though with their 12-15 road record this year. The Lakers are off a bad home loss to the Celtics in their last one, but the Celtics are one of the best teams in the NBA right now and have been rolling lately. The Lakers haven't looked bad lately as they are 6-4 in their last 10 games and they will be looking to bounce back on their home court with a weaker opponent coming into town. The Magic are off a road win over the Clippers in their last one and they haven't looked bad lately either, also going 6-4 in their last 10 games, but the Clippers are also under .500 and the Magic have been really up and down all season. They have been right around the .500 mark all year and they haven't looked nearly as good in their road games either. Defense was also their strength last season, but they haven't been as good this year and they could be without a key defensive player in this game. The Lakers are going to be looking to bounce back after a bad loss at home and they have been the more consistent team all season, so this is a great situation to take them at home looking to bounce back against an inconsistent road team coming off a win. The best way to place a bet here is on the Lakers to cover the spread in this game.
Magic Lakers Prediction: Our NBA Pick for Tuesday, February 24, 2026 (10:30 pm ET start time) is Lakers 120 Magic 106.
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NBA Betting Trends
Orlando Magic: 13-24 ATS in a road game where the total is 220 to 229.5. 2-9 ATS after a win by 6 points or less. 24-32 ATS in all games. 24-12 UNDER after a win by 6 points or less.
Los Angeles Lakers: 31-16 ATS in a home game where the total is 220 to 229.5. 23-13 ATS off a home loss. 8-4 ATS when playing against a marginal winning team (Win Pct. 51% to 60%). 37-23 UNDER when playing against a marginal winning team (Win Pct. 51% to 60%).
Key Injuries
Orlando Magic: J. Suggs (PG) Day To Day - Back. F. Wagner (SF) Out - Ankle. C. Castleton (C) Out - Thumb.
Los Angeles Lakers: J. Hayes (C) Day To Day - Ankle.
Notable Quotes
“I think it’s huge. (Saturday) night was emotional. Double overtime game, lose at the buzzer. I was telling some of the guys, I remember last year in Memphis we lost three games in a row like that and it kind of felt like that was the back-breaker of our season, just because it was so emotional and you’re right there but you come out with a loss.” - Desmond Bane after their win against the LA Clippers in their game on Sunday.
“Queta stuck his entire, I can’t jump that high, he stuck his entire hand through the rim. Not just grabbing the net, but stuck it through the cylinder. That’s typically a goaltend. Not tonight, obviously. They recognized that he did that, and they said that’s not a goaltend. I’ll get some clarification on the rule on that, because honestly, that’s a great way to defend floaters.” - J.J. Redick on one of the bad calls in his team’s loss against the Celtics on Sunday.
Starting Lineups
Orlando Magic
PG Jalen Suggs
SG Anthony Black
SF Desmond Bane
PF Paolo Banchero
C Wendell Carter Jr.
Los Angeles Lakers
PG Luka Doncic
SG Austin Reaves
SF Marcus Smart
PF LeBron James
C Jaxson Hayes
Statistical Leaders
Orlando Magic
PPG: Paolo Banchero (21.5)
APG: Jalen Suggs (5.4)
Reb/G: Paolo Banchero (8.4)
Los Angeles Lakers
PPG: Luka Doncic (32.8)
APG: Luka Doncic (8.5)
Reb/G: Deandre Ayton (8.4)
Coaches:
Orlando Magic: Jamahl Mosley (5th season)
Los Angeles Lakers: JJ Redick (2nd season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
