Orlando at New Orleans

Orlando is 9-2 and top our early-season power rankings. Their offense has been getting the attention but their defense has also been solid, and improving. Over their last five games they are holdin gopponents to 94 ppg and 44.8 in the first half. New Orleans, also 9-2 has had excellent defense all season long. They have held opponents to 89 ppg at home and 86 over their last five games (43 in the first half). In their two meetings last season, they averaged just 76.5 total first half points! Orlando has gone UNDER the first half total 56-39 on the road since last season including 27-13 UNDER off a game that went OVER and 22-11 UNDER vs. teams scoring 99+ points per game.