Orlando Magic vs. Washington Wizards (Jan. 8, 2020): How To Watch, Odds and Prediction

Nikola Vucevic helped pace the Orlando Magic as they held on to defeat the Washington Wizards.(Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
Nikola Vucevic helped pace the Orlando Magic as they held on to defeat the Washington Wizards.(Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Orlando Magic finish their four-game homestand with a chance to complete a four-game sweep of the Washington Wizards.

Washington Wizards (12-24) vs. Orlando Magic (17-20)

Time/TV:

7 p.m./FOX Sports Florida

WATCH MAGIC-WIZARDS ON FUBO TV

FOLLOW LIVE

Tickets:

$10-$434 on StubHub

2020 Season Series:

Magic 125, Wizards 121

in Orlando on Nov. 17;

Magic 127, Wizards 120

in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 3;

Magic 122, Wizards 101

in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 1; Tonight in Orlando

PaceOff. Rtg.Def. Rtg.eFG%O.Reb.%TO%FTR
Washington103.5111.5115.652.726.713.225.5
Orlando98.5104.5105.649.126.213.025.2

OMD Prediction

The formula for Orlando Magic wins in the previous three games of this series was an incredible offense against a Washington Wizards team that does not play a ton of defense. The next part of the formula is to hold on tight and hope the Wizards do not hit enough 3-pointers. The Magic coming off a light practice and playing pretty solid defense seem to have found their footing. Again, at least to beat the teams like the Wizards — especially with how injury-depleted they are with Bradley Beal still questionable. This could be a game where Orlando goes cold. And that would be enough to fall to Washington. But if the Magic play well and make shots, this should be another easy win. But they will have to be attentive, the Wizards continue picking off good teams left unawares.

142. 113. 38. Prediction. 102

1) Markelle Fultz’s comeback is getting notice from fans and colleagues around the league, all the while he is trying to keep doing his work and stay humble, Chris Hayes of the Orlando Sentinel writes.

2) An aggressive Markelle Fultz really changes the Orlando Magic. Fultz is using his high basketball IQ to adjust quickly and make an impact, John Denton of OrlandoMagic.com writes. He is quickly becoming the team’s closer, Luke Duffy of Hoops Habit writes.

3) The Orlando Magic’s point guards are key to pacing the team and setting their mode of attack.

4) The Orlando Magic are proving time and time again they are still a playoff team even without Jonathan Isaac.

5) The Orlando Magic have to give Khem Birch and Wesley Iwundu time to find their rhythm as they adjust to life without Jonathan Isaac.

6) The Orlando Magic need Aaron Gordon now more than ever with Jonathan Isaac out. The injury to Jonathan Isaac decreases an already small margin for error, Omar Cabrera writes.

7) Ish Smith is playing like the Washington Wizards’ MVP as the team tries to push the pace amid myriad injuries, Fred Katz of The Athletic writes.

8) It is hard to tell what identity the Washington Wizards are trying to build as injuries ravage the struggling team, Marcus Atkinson of Bullets Forever writes.

9) The Washington Wizards might be the happiest team with a .333 win percentage as they find some future pieces perhaps in an injury-filled season, David Aldridge of The Athletic writes.

10) Troy Brown is starting to look more comfortable in his bench role, Jack Skolnik of Wiz of Awes writes.

11) The Washington Wizards hope to convert Anzejs Pasecniks two-way contract to a full contract and add another two-way player, Candace Buckner of The Washington Post writes.

12) Josh Robbins of The Athletic breaks down the outlook for the Orlando Magic one month ahead of the trade deadline.

13) The Orlando Magic should give two-way player B.J. Johnson some run in the wake of the injury to Jonathan Isaac, Luke Duffy of Hoops Habit writes.

14) The 2008-09 Orlando Magic are one of the forgotten pioneers of the NBA’s 3-point revolution, Josh Robbins of The Athletic writes.

15) Five players and paths the Orlando Magic can mine to find more forward depth.