New Orleans @ Orlando picks

The New Orleans Pelicans have been the lowest scoring offense in the NBA when playing on the road this year. The 5th-most lethargic pace-of-play team in the league over the last 5 games has been the Pelicans. Brandon Ingram will not have the benefit of the home court advantage in this contest. Playing without the home court advantage usually worsens player production across the board.

In terms of offense, the Magic's unimpressive 98.0 points per game ranks weakest in the league over the last 5 games. The matchup vs. the Pelicans is a difficult one for field goal attempts; the opposition's starting SFs have totaled the least field goal attempts per game in the NBA this year (9.1). The Pelicans have played at the 5th-most lethargic pace in the NBA over the last 5 games, which ought to lead to decreased opportunities for the Magic.

Tristan da Silva has converted 40.0% of his attempts from beyond the arc since the start of last season, putting him in the 89th percentile among all players in the league. As a team, the Magic have been great at getting to the charity stripe when playing at home: 4th-best in the NBA since the start of last season, tallying 24.3 foul shot attempts per game. The matchup vs. the New Orleans Pelicans may be a positive one for getting to the free-throw line; opposing starting PFs have attempted a massive 4.6 free throws per game over the last 5 games (10th-most in the NBA). Tristan da Silva will receive the benefit of the home court advantage in this game. Playing in your home city tends to increase player performance across the board.

Jalen Suggs has averaged 2.6 personal fouls per game while playing at home since the start of last season, putting him in the 88th percentile -- among the NBA's most-whistled. The Pelicans have played at the 5th-most lethargic pace in the NBA over the last 5 games, which ought to lead to decreased opportunities for the Magic.

Offensive rebounds lengthen possession and create added opportunities for scoring and assists, and the New Orleans Pelicans rank 3rd-best in in the NBA with 13.8 offensive boards per game over the last 5 games.

The Pelicans have been the 2nd-least aggressive offense in the NBA this year with respect to 3-point attempts. The 5th-most lethargic pace-of-play team in the league over the last 5 games has been the Pelicans. Brandon Ingram will not have the benefit of the home court advantage in this contest. Playing without the home court advantage usually worsens player production across the board.