Orlando Magic at Brooklyn Nets (Nov. 19, 2021): 3 Things To Watch, Odds and Prediction
The Orlando Magic hope to build off a strong win Wednesday as they head back to New York to take on Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets.
Orlando Magic (4-11) at Brooklyn Nets (11-5)
Time/TV: 7:30 p.m./Bally Sports Florida
WATCH MAGIC-NETS ON FUBO TV
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Line via WynnBet: Nets by 12.5
Tickets: $22-$351 on StubHub
2022 Season Series: Nets 123, Magic 90 in Orlando on Nov. 10; Tonight in Brooklyn; Dec. 18 in Brooklyn; March 15 in Orlando
| Pace | Off. Rtg. | Def. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando | 98.8 | 101.6 | 110.5 | 48.9 | 28.3 | 16.4 | 21.4 |
| Brooklyn | 100.5 | 107.3 | 103.7 | 54.4 | 19.5 | 14.7 | 24.4 |
OMD Prediction
The Orlando Magic caught the Brooklyn Nets last time at a particularly bad moment to do so. The Brooklyn Nets were coming off a bad fourth quarter in a loss to the Chicago Bulls. They were angry and wanted to make a point. They absolutely did with Kevin Durant especially going into something resembling a god mode to put the game away.
That was just bad luck for a then-struggling Magic team. Still, it would take a lot for the Magic to be in these games with the offensive firepower the Nets have.
The good news for them is Brooklyn’s offense is not humming along well lately. The Nets have failed to hit 100 points five times in their 16 games. They have hit 110 points just seven times this season. Of course, the three times they cleared 120 points were against three lowly teams — the Oklahoma City Thunder, New Orleans Pelicans and Orlando Magic.
The Orlando Magic found something defensively against the New York Knicks on Wednesday. They will need that again.
100. 38. 115. 147. Prediction
3 Keys To Watch
Guarding Durant
Kevin Durant had a basketball game in the win over the Orlando Magic a few weeks ago. He scored 30 points on 11-for-12 shooting and just seemingly got wherever he wanted to go. The Magic had no way to stop him. Even when they played good defense.
Rookie Franz Wagner got the main call on Kevin Durant in that game. It sure felt like he was doing all he could to slow down this mega superstar. Indeed, the Magic contested his shots pretty well. According to data from NBA.com, Durant took eight of his 12 field goals with the closest defender 2-4 feet away. He made seven of them.
Could the Magic try to crowd and bump him a bit more? Sure. But Durant was on one and there are few ways for the team to stop him.
Offense against the best
The Orlando Magic’s offense is not particularly strong right now. The team ranks 27th in the league in offensive rating with 101.6 points per 100 possessions. This is coming off a particularly bad week at home last week where the team just struggled to score consistently. It is easy to see why the team is so focused on its defense.
But the Magic have struggled especially against the best defensive teams they have faced. And teams that switch heavily like the Brooklyn Nets do give the Orlando Magic a ton of problems. the Magic have to figure out how to beat these tied-together defenses.
Here is a sample of the Orlando Magic’s offensive efforts so far: 86.5 points per 100 possessions in the loss to the Brooklyn Nets (the fifth-best defense in the league), 90.9 points per 100 possessions in the loss to the Miami Heat (sixth in defensive rating) and 95.8 points per 100 possessions in the loss to the Washington Wizards eighth in defensive rating).
There have been a few other stinkers offensively too. But this is an issue for the Magic. They just do not score against the really good defenses.
Jalen Suggs follow-up
Orlando Magic fans are still buzzing for what felt like was a breakthrough game for rookie Jalen Suggs. He scored 13 points on 5-for-12 shooting and hit three of his four three-pointers. He made a ton of clutch plays, including a steal and alley-oop pass, and played really good defense. It was telling that Jamahl Mosley put the rookie in for his defensive lineup to preserve the lead late (and that Suggs delivered on it).
That breakthrough game is probably still coming for Suggs. This felt like him scratching the surface. He was suddenly not such a negative offensively as he tries to find his fit and place in the league. He was no longer searching for his points, but scoring aggressively and shooting confidently.
Orlando needs to see that attitude carry over. He may still have poor shooting games and moments where he is figuring things out. But the Magic need to see Suggs turn a corner. It has felt like he has been knocking on the door for a while to get there.
Next. Orlando Magic's decision at center is looming. dark
Momentum is still the next day’s pitcher. And the Magic want to see some consistency from Suggs.