Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

5 matchups to put the Orlando Magic on national TV

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Jalen Suggs had a strong showing in his Summer League debut and he proved to be everything the Orlando Magic could want. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Jalen Suggs had a strong showing in his Summer League debut and he proved to be everything the Orlando Magic could want. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
Dale Osbourne, Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
The Orlando Magic appear set to hire Dale Osbourne to add to their player development-centered staff. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

5 Orlando Magic games for national TV

Magic at Blazers

First off, Jalen Suggs is from Minnesota. He was Mr. Football and Mr. Basketball in Minnesota in high school before heading to Gonzaga. That should create some interest in Suggs’ first game at Target Center against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

They just are not the kind of marquee opponent that is getting on national TV — although Anthony Edwards’ emergence last year along with young stars in Karl-Anthony Townes and D’Angelo Russell might well change that sooner than later.

It is far more likely Suggs’ return to the place where he played college will get a national television nod. Indeed, the broadcasters are often desperate to get West Coast teams to fill that 10:30 p.m. slot so teams like the Portland Trail Blazers always get more national television appearances than their standing in the league might otherwise get them.

If I were to pick any game to get a mid-January TNT nod or a random ESPN Friday nod, it would be the Magic’s trip to Portland.

That is as close as Suggs will get to Spokane, Wash., home of Gonzaga. A mere 353 miles and a five-hour drive away.

It is moments like these you wish that Seattle still had a NBA team because Suggs would have an Indiana-style cheering section for his homecoming.

The idea though of seeing Suggs close to his spiritual or collegiate home going up against Damian Lillard is exciting. That would be a stellar matchup. And it will be a stellar matchup for years to come (hopefully).

Not to mention, the Magic hired several former Blazers’ assistant coaches including Dale Osbourne.

The Magic’s best bet for a national TV game are these trips to the West Coast. And so the Magic have the best mini-storyline with the Blazers for now.