Orlando Magic at Oklahoma City Thunder (Dec. 29, 2020): How to Watch, Odds and Prediction
The Orlando Magic aim for their first-ever 4-0 start in franchise history as they close their three-game road trip against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Orlando Magic (3-0) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (1-1)
Time/TV:
8 p.m./FOX Sports Florida
WATCH MAGIC-THUNDER ON FUBO TV
FOLLOW LIVE2020 Season Series:
in Oklahoma City on Nov. 5;
in Orlando on Jan. 22
2021 Season Series:
Tonight in Oklahoma City; Jan. 2 in Orlando
| Pace | Off. Rtg. | Def. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando | 105.8 | 114.2 | 107.3 | 53.0 | 26.3 | 13.2 | 36.2 |
| Oklahoma City | 102.8 | 105.8 | 105.9 | 53.2 | 26.5 | 16.5 | 24.7 |
OMD Prediction
It is still really early in the season to take anything we are seeing on the floor as gospel. Every team is liable to have a bad game or play above themselves riding early momentum. The Orlando Magic might well be that team right now. So too might be the Oklahoma City Thunder, who have a good claim to 2-0. The Thunder lost Monday on a last-second shot from Donovan Mitchell. To that point, they frustrated the Utah Jazz with their length and defense. They have some heady play too from veterans and they spread the floor well with Al Horford and Mike Muscala out at the 3-point line. The Thunder are going to stress the Magic’s pick and roll defense in a significant way. Orlando has to be smarter and more efficient to win this one.
38. 107. 149. Prediction. 103
1) The Orlando Magic still have a lot of work to do to reach their zenith and a lot of people to prove wrong.
2) Josh Robbins of The Athletic looks at 10 reasons why the Orlando Magic are 3-0 and whether those numbers and trends will continue.
3) The Orlando Magic rode their bench to a win Sunday and have used it to become one of the best offenses in the NBA early on this season, Roy Parry of the Orlando Sentinel writes.
4) In two wins over the Washington Wizards this weekend, the Orlando Magic showed the seeds of a winning team.
5) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was inches away from his second game-winning basket as the Oklahoma City Thunder fell short to the Utah Jazz in their home opener, Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman writes.
6) The Utah Jazz returned to Oklahoma City for the first time since the season was put on hiatus there last March, bringing back memories of that fateful night, Jenni Carlson of The Oklahoman writes.
7) Markelle Fultz is showing impressive feel and understanding as he becomes a deadly offensive player even without a consistent jumper, Nekias Duncan of Basketball News writes.
8) The Oklahoma City Thunder has put a ton of trust in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and are trusting him to be an efficient scorer to lead the team, Paul Watson of Thunderous Intentions writes.
9) Terrence Ross is one of the best acquisitions in Orlando Magic history, Josh Cohen of OrlandoMagic.com writes. Ross has gotten closer to consistency in his time with the Magic, Tim Monaghan writes.
10) The Orlando Magic are playing with much more pace and trying to get out in transition more. That seems to have boosted their offense, but also has come with some hiccups.
11) The Orlando Magic’s rookies have gotten their chance in the rotation and they will continue to do so if they keep improving as they have.
12) The tough part of the Orlando Magic’s schedule is coming up in the next week, Isaac Ryu writes.
13) Tamberlynn Richardson of Thunderous Intentions lists 10 young cores the Oklahoma City Thunder can model their rebuild after.
14) Evan Fournier will map his future this season, one way or the other.
15) Be sure to be ready for the Orlando Magic’s City Edition jersey’s debut later this month.