Magic vs. Pelicans prediction and odds for Monday, February 27 (How to bet OVER/UNDER)

New Orleans Pelicans head couch Willie Green talks with forward Herbert Jones (5). Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
New Orleans Pelicans head couch Willie Green talks with forward Herbert Jones (5). Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New Orleans Pelicans are in some serious trouble in the Western Conference, dropping to the No. 10 spot following a third straight loss on Saturday against the New York Knicks.

To make matters worse, the Pelicans are just half a game ahead of the Portland Trail Blazers and one game ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers in the play-in tournament race. As long as Zion Williamson remains out, it seems like it’s going to be tough for New Orleans to make the playoffs.

Luckily for them, the Pels have a winnable matchup at home against the Orlando Magic, who are just 10-20 straight up on the road this season. Orlando has been solid as a road underdog, going 16-12-1 against the spread, but the best bet in this game may not be on a side.

Let’s dive into the odds and my explanation on how to bet on the total in this game:

Magic vs. Pelicans odds, spread and total

Magic vs. Pelicans prediction and pick

Both of these teams are in the bottom half of the league in offensive rating this season, with New Orleans clocking in at No. 18 and the Magic at No. 25.

Even though they have been solid against the spread on road, the Magic are a much worse offense when away from the Amway Center this season. Orlando’s offensive rating on the season is 111.2, but it drops to 108.4 on the road.

That should give us some value on the total in this game.

Over their last six games, the Pelicans have fallen short of this total in six of them, only clearing it when the Knicks scored 128 points against them on Saturday.

As for Orlando, its recent games have produced a similar result. The Magic have gone UNDER this total in five of their last seven games.

The UNDER is also 16-12-2 in Orlando’s road games, likely due to the team’s offensive regression.

It’s not a fun bet, but the UNDER is the way to go on Monday night.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.