The Orlando Magic face their first Playoff-clinched team as they battle the Indiana Pacers with an eye on going 3-0 and putting Jonathan Isaac’s injury behind them.
Orlando Magic (32-35) vs. Indiana Pacers (41-26)
Time/TV:
6 p.m./FOX Sports Florida
FOLLOW LIVE2020 Season Series:
in Orlando on Nov. 10;
in Indianapolis on Nov. 23; Today at the NBA Campus
| Pace | Off. Rtg. | Def. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando | 98.9 | 108.0 | 108.8 | 50.6 | 26.7 | 12.8 | 25.2 |
| Indiana | 99.1 | 109.9 | 107.8 | 53.4 | 24.5 | 13.1 | 21.6 |
OMD Prediction
These are the exact teams the Orlando Magic should be able to beat and compete with. These are the teams the Magic have struggled to defeat. This is a true measuring stick game t see just how good Orlando is. The way the Magic played in the first two games, they should feel some confidence that they can carry this over against tougher competition. The Pacers are indeed tougher in every way. Orlando will have to put its focus on 3-point defense and especially defending T.J. Warren. Aaron Gordon should provide some solid resistance to keep Warren from going off. But from there, the Orlando Magic have to scramble as it did against the Sacramento Kings to keep the Indiana Pacers from hitting from the outside. This will be the first team that challenges the Magic. They should know early on whether they are ready to compete. The Indiana Pacers’ lack of depth — all their starters played at least 30 minutes in Monday’s win over the Washington Wizards — might give the Orlando Magic a slight edge.
1) The Orlando Magic believe Monday was day one of Jonathan Isaac’s successful recovery and comeback. They are confident Isaac’s work ethic and faith will guide him through the long road back, Josh Cohen of OrlandoMagic.com writes.
2) Jonathan Isaac’s injury is a devastating blow to the Orlando Magic’s future, Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel writes. His injury raises a ton of questions for the Magic, Zach Oliver of Orlando Pinstriped Post writes.
3) Orlando Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman is adamant that Jonathan Isaac’s previous injury did not affect or cause Isaac’s torn ACL, Josh Robbins of The Athletic writes.
4) There was nothing the Orlando Magic could have done to prepare for Jonathan Isaac’s injury.
5) Orlando Magic players were hurting with Jonathan Isaac as they received the “gut punch” of his injury, Josh Robbins of The Athletic writes.
6) T.J. Warren stayed hot with 32 points as the Indiana Pacers managed their roster and defeated the Washington Wizards.
7) The NBA’s embrace of the Black Lives Matter phrase is helping normalize and crystallize the message in the fight for racial justice, Michael Lee of The Athletic writes.
8) The Orlando Magic will need to make adjustments to their lineup as they get deeper into the seeding round, Spencer Henderson writes.
9) The Orlando Magic begin a string of playing playoff teams as the real test of the seeding round begins, Roy Parry of the Orlando Sentinel writes.
10) The Orlando Magic dominated the Sacramento Kings physically and in every way as they scored a second straight blowout win.
11) With Jonathan Isaac out, Gary Clark now becomes a vital player for the Orlando Magic, Tim Briggs writes.
12) The second unit is giving the Orlando Magic a much-needed energy boost inside the empty arenas, Tim Briggs writes.