The Pelicans will start the 2014-2015 season home in New Orleans as they will host the Orlando Magic. The two teams split the series 1-1 last season, but I hold the Pelicans as a much better team this year and expect them to cover this fairly large spread at home

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Improved Pelicans And Weakened Magic - Ryan Anderson and Jrue Holiday missed a combined 108 games for the Pelicans last season, but are coming into this season fully fit. Omer Asik has come over from Houston to give cover to the center position and John Salmons came over from the Raptors bringing 12 years of experience to the team. The Magic's loss of Arron Afflalo to the Nuggets during the summer will not go unnoticed, as the 29 year old averaged close to 18 points and 3.6 rebounds per game last season.

2. Anthony Davis - The 21 year old had a successful summer in Spain as he helped the US team defend their FIBA World Cup title from 2012. There are reasons to believe this experience can help him further improve on his impressive 20.8 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.8 blocks for team highs in each category last season. He averaged 24.0 points, 18.0 rebounds and 5.0 blocks in the two meetings versus the Magic over the two meetings last year.

3. X-factor - The Pelicans have successfully covered the spread in six of their last eight games in New Orleans. The Magic have failed to cover in 22 of their last 27 away from home.

Selection: This is a play on the New Orleans Pelicans (10*)