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Magic Wands: Orlando Magic at Dallas Mavericks — January 9, 2018

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - OCTOBER 5: Dennis Smith Jr. #1 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball against the Orlando Magic during a preseason game on October 5, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Gary Bassing/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - OCTOBER 5: Dennis Smith Jr. #1 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball against the Orlando Magic during a preseason game on October 5, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Gary Bassing/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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38. Final. 13-28. 79. 12-28

Time/TV: 8:30 p.m./FSFlorida
Line: Mavericks by 6.5
Tickets: $6-$201 on Vivid Seats
Season Series: Tonight in Dallas; April 4 in Orlando

PaceOff. Rtg.Def. Rtg.eFG%O.Reb.%TO%FTR
Orlando101.9103.0108.251.619.714.624.0
Dallas97.3104.3107.352.017.313.121.5

1) The Orlando Magic have tonight’s game against the Dallas Mavericks circled as a big confidence builder to start this road trip and a difficult five-game stretch, Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel writes.

2) Isaac Harris of The Smoking Cuban writes why Rick Carlisle is absolutely right to criticize ESPN for its coverage of Lavar Ball.

3) The Dallas Mavericks have kept their sellout streak alive at the American Airlines Center despite uneven play the last two years. Peter Dawson of the Fort Worth Star Telegram explains how the Mavericks have done it.

4) Preston Ellis and Zach Oliver of Orlando Pinstriped Post examine the Orlando Magic ahead of the trade deadline on the Do You Believe In Magic Podcast.

5) Dennis Smith Jr. has not quite taken over for the Dallas Mavericks, and Nick Angstadt of Mavs Moneyball says he needs to. Rick Carlisle hopes to see Smith adopt Derrick Harper’s competitiveness and defense, Isaac Harris of The Smoking Cuban writes.

6) Wesley Matthews stood out defensively for the Dallas Mavericks in their game against the New York Knicks, Sam Guertier of Mavs Moneyball writes.

7) Orlando Magic rookie Wesley Iwundu has made some major strides in recent games, Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel writes.

8) Saturday’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers marked the end of a busy couple of days for Wesley Iwundu as he shuttled back and forth between Orlando and Lakeland, John Denton and Dan Savage of OrlandoMagic.com followed along with him.

9) I answered some of your questions about the Orlando Magic as we reach the midpoint of the season on the latest Orlando Magic Daily Facebook Live. And answered even more in a full Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag this morning.

10) The Orlando Magic are in the bottom tier of the midseason checkup from Tim Bontemps of The Washington Post.

11) The Detroit Pistons reportedly approached the Orlando Magic about an Evan Fournier trade as a market for wings like Fournier appears to be emerging, our Sam Skubala writes. There is certainly no shortage of trade talk as Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders reports.

12) Nikola Vucevic is frustrated watching on the sidelines. He still has a ways to go to return, but he reportedly made his return to the court for some light workouts on this road trip.

13) Orlando Magic owner Rich DeVos is staying active and embracing his family more after the death of his wife Helen earlier this year, Shandra Martinez of MLive.com writes.

14) Luke Duffy of Hoops Habit looks at five players who got away from the Orlando Magic.

15) Kevin Casas of the Fort Worth Star Telegram says Mark Aguirre should be the next jersey the Dallas Mavericks retire.

16) The Orlando Magic guaranteed the rest of Khem Birch’s contract for the remainder of the 2018 season by not cutting him Sunday.

17) Kohl Rast of The Smoking Cuban wonders if the Golden State Warriors have ruined fandom for fans around the NBA.