Orlando Magic at Utah Jazz (Dec. 17, 2019): How To Watch, Odds and Prediction
The Orlando Magic continue their road trip with a difficult back-to-back starting against the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City in what should be a defensive battle.
Orlando Magic (12-14) vs. Utah Jazz (15-11)
Time/TV: 9 p.m./FOX Sports Florida
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The Action Network’s Line: Jazz by 5.5
Tickets: $11-$1,071 on StubHub
2020 Season Series: Tonight in Salt Lake City; Jan. 4 in Orlando
Pace | Off. Rtg. | Def. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Orlando | 98.2 | 105.2 | 106.5 | 49.3 | 27.5 | 13.7 | 25.0 |
Utah | 100.7 | 106.3 | 105.5 | 52.9 | 23.9 | 16.2 | 28.9 |
OMD Prediction
The Orlando Magic and Utah Jazz want to be similar teams. They are built on their defense. The Jazz have more consistent offensive options, though. But all those pieces have not come together quite yet. Like the Magic, they are still searching for their rhythm. Perhaps a few days off — the Jazz have not played since Friday — will help them. Then again, the Jazz have so many good players. Mike Conley is probable for the game with a hamstring issue. If Orlando can use its size, it can compete. This one should be a battle that will come down to whether the Magic continue their hot shooting.
1) The Orlando Magic hope they can carry over their pace and offensive movement against the Utah Jazz’s tough defense, Roy Parry of the Orlando Sentinel writes.
2) The last few days have given the Utah Jazz some valuable practice time to try to right the ship after a rough start to the season, Andy Larsen of the Salt Lake Tribune writes. The Jazz will have to make the most of the rare string of practice time the past few days, Jasen Lee of the Deseret News writes.
3) Nikola Vucevic’s return for the Orlando Magic on Sunday was a more-than-welcome sign.
4) Mike Conley has missed the last five games for the Utah Jazz. Jared Woodcox of The J Notes writes the hope is his return has refreshed him and has him ready to impact the team.
5) Markelle Fultz’s skills are best on display in transition where he is truly a problem in the open floor, John Denton of OrlandoMagic.com writes.
6) The Utah Jazz need to make a trade to fix the underlying problems with the team, Clark Schmutz of Salt City Hoops writes. They will have plenty of questions to answer that only a trade might solve, Tony Jones of The Athletic writes.
7) Jonathan Isaac checks in at No. 2 in Phil Watson of Hoops Habit’s Defensive Player of the Year ladder.
8) Orlando Magic fans are starting to make waves and assert themselves as they pick up wins and more attention.
9) J.J. Redick is extremely happy for former teammate Markelle Fultz as he finds his place on the court at last, Josh Robbins of The Athletic writes.
10) Garrett Townsend of Orlando Pinstriped Post looks at what is trending up and down for the Orlando Magic right now.
11) D.J. Augustin still holds a special bond to his high school, Brother Martin in New Orleans, Josh Robbins of The Athletic writes.
12) G-League players are expected to meet at this week’s G-League Showcase to discuss the possibility of unionizing, Shams Charania of The Athletic writes.
13) The Utah Jazz fan banned from games for an incident with Russell Westbrook is suing the superstar point guard and the Jazz claiming he was not the one who hurled racial epithets at Westbrook during the game, Benjamin Wood and Andy Larsen of the Salt Lake Tribune writes.