Orlando Magic vs Washington Wizards Prediction, Preview and Odds - 03/31/2023

Game Time: 7:00 pm ET, Friday, March 31, 2023

Venue:  Capital One Arena, Washington, DC

Where to Watch:  NBCS-DC

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Magic +2.5, Wizards -2.5; Over/Under:  230.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Magic +2.5, Wizards -2.5; Over/Under:  230.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Magic +2.5, Wizards -2.5; Over/Under:  230.5 points

Orlando Magic:  32-44 (4th place, Southeast Division)

Washington Wizards:  34-42 (3rd place, Southeast Division)

Do not miss out on our expert handicapper analysis! Jack Banks is on a HOT STREAK in the NBA: 104-66 Run! Make sure you check out his picks and many more from the expert handicappers featured in the Shop Picks section.

Orlando Magic:  5-5 last 10

Washington Wizards:  3-7 last 10

The Magic are coming into this game with a 32-44 record overall and they are 13-25 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off of a loss against the Memphis Grizzlies in their last game. Franz Wagner led the team in points in that game with 25 while Paolo Banchero was next on the team with 24 points. Paolo Banchero, Markelle Fultz, and Cole Anthony each led the team in assists in that game with 5 while Paolo Banchero led the team in rebounds with 11. They were 41% from the field, 28.6% from 3-point range, and 80% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 111.7 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 114.2 PPG against them. The Magic have an ATS record of 43-32-1 this season and their O/U record is 36-38-2.

The Wizards are coming into this game with a 34-42 record overall and they are 18-19 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off of a win against the Boston Celtics in their last game. Kristaps Porziņģis led the team in points in that game with 32 while Deni Avdija was next on the team with 25 points. Monté Morris led the team in assists in that game with 9 while Kristaps Porziņģis led the team in rebounds with 13. They were 54.5% from the field, 35.1% from 3-point range, and 69.2% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 113.1 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 113.8 PPG against them. The Wizards have an ATS record of 34-38-4 this season and their O/U record is 36-38-2.

The current betting odds have the Magic listed as a 2.5 point underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Magic haven't been that great this season with their 32-44 record overall and they have been terrible in their road games with a 13-25 road record. They are even coming off a loss against the Grizzlies in their last game, but the Wizards haven't really been any better this season. The Wizards are only 34-42 overall this season and they haven't even been good at home with a losing 18-19 home record. They managed to beat the Celtics at home in their last game which was a huge win for them, but they are going to be due for a letdown here. The Wizards are also really banged up now as they are missing 2 of their best players in the starting lineup and they have no chance of making the playoffs so they really have nothing to play for here with a banged up lineup. The Magic haven't been great in road games but they have improved a lot from last season and they will use these last few games to build on their season next year as they have a lot of good and young talent on their team. The best way to place a bet here is on the Magic to cover the spread in this game. 

Magic Wizards Prediction:  Our NBA Pick for Friday, March 31, 2023 (7:00 pm ET start time) is Magic 114 Wizards 107.

Don't miss our champion handicappers free picks and expert basketball picks today.  And if you enjoyed this Orlando Magic Washington Wizards prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our weekly NBA predictions and previews.

Orlando Magic: 25-18 ATS after 1 or more consecutive losses. 21-15 ATS in road games. 23-15 OVER off a cover where the team lost the game straight up as an underdog. 

Washington Wizards: 8-22 ATS off an upset win by 15 points or more as a home underdog. 14-5 OVER as a home underdog. 26-18 OVER after a win by 10 points or more. 

Orlando Magic:  K. Harris (SG) Ques Fri - Elbow. J. Isaac (PF) out for season - Groin.

Washington Wizards:  K. Kuzma (PF) Out indefinitely - Ankle. B. Beal (SG) Ques Fri - Knee. D. Gafford (PF) Ques Fri - Foot.

“Being ready to go from the beginning of the game. That's the biggest key. Knowing (the Grizzlies) are a playoff team that's fighting for a championship, they're going to come out and set the tone early. Our guys felt that right off the bat.” - Jamahl Mosley after his team’s loss against the Grizzlies in their game on Tuesday.

“Probably the best pace, for 36-to-40 minutes, that we've seen all year. After makes, misses, were able to accumulate quite a few fast break points. Not all those were just off of misses. So being able to play with pace and kind of get stuff early in the clock I thought helped us.” - Wes Unseld Jr. after his team’s win against the Celtics in their game on Tuesday.

PG Markelle Fultz

SG Gary Harris

SF Franz Wagner

PF Paolo Banchero

C Wendell Carter Jr.

PG Monte Morris

SG Jordan Goodwin

SF Corey Kispert

PF Kristaps Porzingis

C Daniel Gafford

PPG: P. Banchero (19.9)

APG: M. Fultz (5.7)

Reb/G: W. Carter Jr. (8.8)

PPG: B. Beal (23.2)

APG: B. Beal (5.4)

Reb/G: K. Porzingis (8.4)

Coaches:

Orlando Magic: Jamahl Mosley (2nd season)

Washington Wizards: Wes Unseld Jr. (2nd season)