NBA Pick #1: 559 Orlando Magic @ 560 Utah Jazz
Rating: 2 Units – Regular Play
Pick: Over 222.5
Price: -110 / 1.91 on Bookmaker
Write Up:
After a good start of the season, Orlando lost their last two games against the LA teams. They played with some good pace and created good looks, but they couldn’t convert them at a high enough rate. If against the Lakers they struggled to be efficient at the rim, they only shot 7-30 3pts against the Clippers.
However, I believe Utah’s defense will be a good matchup for Orlando’s offense as the Magic want to drive to the basket and create contact (they are #6 in FT/rate and #3 in shots at the rim vol%) and for some reason, Walker Kessler is really struggling in this start of the season and the Jazz are a bad team in these two areas mentioned above: #29 FG% allowed at the rim and #24 in FT/rate opp. So, the Magic have a nice matchup here.
On the other hand, Utah’s ability to shoot from the perimeter will cause damage to the Magic defense that usually is a protect-first kind of defense. Utah dominated Memphis yesterday with a great inside out game (22-43 3pts) and I believe they can do something similar tonight.