Orlando Magic at New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, January 8 is about as close to a coin flip as the ratings get, with the Magic at only 51%. Small things like rest, health and shooting variance should decide it.
Why it is so close
The Win Meter reads the Magic 51%, with a projected score of Orlando Magic 113, New Orleans Pelicans 113. The rating gap is 107 points in favor of the Magic, and home court and rest add about 100 rating points for the Pelicans on top of that.
Readings in this range leave plenty of room for the other side. About 49 times in 100 games like this, the Pelicans would win.
Recent form
The Magic are 0-2 this season and 0-5 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -14.4. The Pelicans are 0-2 this season and 1-4 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -3.4.
The Magic were beaten 115-93 at home by MIN not long ago.
The Pelicans' best recent win was 156-137 at home against UTA.
The Pelicans were beaten 144-118 on the road by BOS not long ago.
Injuries to watch
Out: Izaiyah Nelson (ORL), expected back Nov 18, 2026 and Noah Penda (ORL), expected back Nov 18, 2026.
Day to day or questionable: Anthony Black (ORL), Jonathan Isaac (ORL), Paolo Banchero (ORL), and Yves Missi (NOP). Their status can change before tip-off.
The season series
In our records of recent meetings, the Magic lead 4-0, with the Magic outscoring the Pelicans by an average of 15.2 points per game. The last meeting was ORL 112, NOP 108.