The young and upstart Orlando Magic get set to clash against the Utah Jazz on Thursday night inside the Kiz Center in Orlando, Florida. They tip it off at 7:00 pm. Orlando has been playing very well over the last week or so.  Bookmaker has installed the Magic as a solid - 5.5-point favorite. 

The Magic (33-26) have ripped off six of eight overall and are really making some noise in the Eastern Conference. They are currently seven games over .500 on the season and they also sit just a 1/2 game back of the Miami Heat in the Southeast Division. 

They have a ton of athleticism and talent and they are led on the floor by power forward Paolo Banchero, who has really stepped up his game this season. He is averaging 22 a game in his second season in the league and has really taken on more of a role on the offensive side of the floor. He adds around seven rebounds per game too. 

They play solid perimeter defense as well and it helps them score some quick baskets in transitional defense. The one player that benefits from this is Franz Wagner who loves to get out and run on the fast break. He is chipping in with 20 points per night.

Orlando is connecting on 54% from the floor, including 34% from beyond the arc. 

The Jazz (27-32) have really struggled as they have dropped nine out of 12 overall and are now in a fight to not only get back to .500 on the season but try to figure out a way to get into the playoffs. And right now it does not look promising for them as their season has really been derailed with some poor defensive games and a blatant lack of consistency on the offensive side of the floor. 

They were able to recently snap a five-game losing streak by beating a very bad San Antonio Spurs squad, but followed that up with a poor shooting performance in a 124-97 setback to the Atlanta Hawks. They were not competitive in the second half as the Hawks pulled away and ran them out of the building. 

Offensively, Utah needs to slow it down and really look for solid scoring opportunities when they present themselves. They will rely on power forward Lauri Markkanen, who has been their most consistent player this season, as he is averaging 23 a game and is coming off a poor night against the Hawks. He netted just 11 in the loss and will look to redeem himself in this one. 

The Jazz score 117 a game and will need to score at least 120 plus in this one to have a shot at winning. 

The Magic are 4-1 in their last five games and 3-2 in their last five games against the number and 19-13 in their road games against the spread. The totals have gone over in just two out of their last five games. The Jazz are 1-4 in their last five games and 1-4 in their last five games against the number too. The Jazz are 13-17 in their road games against the number.