LA @ Orlando picks
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LAC vs ORL Picks
NBA Picks
While both defenses have been elite this season, Los Angeles’ advantage on offense gives it the edge in tonight’s contest. Over the last 10 games, the Magic sport the second-best defensive rating at 107.6, and the Clippers sport the sixth-best at 110.8. The Magic have allowed opponents to score 103.4 points, and the Clippers have allowed 108.7 points, both Top-10 marks. In that span, the Clippers have the best offensive rating in the Association at 125.6. That tremendous improvement on offense and steady defense has given L.A. the best net rating in the NBA over the last 10 games at a whopping +14.3.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has converted 42.5% of his three-point attempts over the last 15 games, 12.2% more than he's converted from three overall this year. Among all players in the NBA, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope comes in at the 80th percentile for playing time, totaling a monstrous 30.2 minutes per game this year. Offensive rebounds preserve possession and create extra opportunities for scoring and assists, and the Magic grade out 7th-best in in the NBA with 12.2 offensive rebounds per game over the last 5 games. Among all players in the NBA, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope ranks in the 84th percentile for free-throw performance when playing at home with a very good 88.3% rate this year. The matchup vs. the LA Clippers may be a good one for getting to the foul line; the opposition's starting SGs have attempted an enormous 3.3 free throws per game over the last 10 games (5th-most in the NBA).
Cory Joseph has put up 0.2 offensive boards per game at home this year, placing him in the 13th percentile -- among the league's worst by this metric. Among all players in the league, Cory Joseph rates in the 20th percentile for playing time, tallying a lowly 11.1 minutes per game this year. Cory Joseph has accumulated 2.4 personal fouls per game over the last 5 games while playing at home, 1.3 more than he's accumulated overall this year at home. The Orlando Magic have played at the 3rd-least up-tempo pace in the NBA over the last 10 games while on their home court. The Magic will likely suffer a drop-off in plays in this contest from competing against the 6th-most sluggish tempo offense in the league over the last 25 games (the Clippers).
The Orlando Magic check in as the 2nd-lowest scoring offense in the NBA this year. This year, the opposition's starting PFs have shot 27.2% on threes (2nd-worst in the league) vs. the Clippers, resulting in a hard matchup. The Orlando Magic have played at the 3rd-least up-tempo pace in the NBA over the last 10 games while on their home court. The Magic will likely suffer a drop-off in plays in this contest from competing against the 6th-most sluggish tempo offense in the league over the last 25 games (the Clippers).
Offensive rebounds preserve possession and create extra opportunities for scoring and assists, and the Magic grade out 7th-best in in the NBA with 12.2 offensive rebounds per game over the last 5 games. Wendell Carter Jr. will likely see a rise in output across the board as a result of having the home court advantage in this matchup.
Anthony Black has compiled 3.1 assists per game this year, putting him in the 78th percentile -- among the league leaders by this standard over this stretch. Offensive rebounds preserve possession and create extra opportunities for scoring and assists, and the Magic grade out 7th-best in in the NBA with 12.2 offensive rebounds per game over the last 5 games. Anthony Black ought to see a rise in output in all stat categories considering holding the home court advantage in this game.
