Nikola Vucevic makes his first return to the Amway Center after the Orlando Magic traded the longtime center to the Chicago Bulls last fall.
Orlando Magic (4-15) vs. Chicago Bulls (12-7)
Time/TV: 7 p.m./Bally Sports Florida
WATCH MAGIC-BULLS ON FUBO TV
FOLLOW LIVE @OMAGICDAILY
Line via WynnBet: Bulls by 7
Tickets: $33-$355 on StubHub
2022 Season Series: Tonight in Orlando; Jan. 3 in Chicago; Jan. 23 in Orlando; Feb. 1 in Chicago
| Pace | Off. Rtg. | Def. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | 99.3 | 108.2 | 105.3 | 51.8 | 23.5 | 13.1 | 22.8 |
| Orlando | 99.0 | 102.0 | 111.6 | 48.8 | 28.1 | 15.8 | 20.7 |
OMD Prediction
The Orlando Magic seemed to get themselves back on track a bit against the Charlotte Hornets. Yes, it was still a loss. But a loss that came because of the team’s lack of depth and injuries more than because of poor play. Orlando just did not have the consistency to make it the full 48 minutes and gave up a decisive 15-3 run to end the third quarter. That at least puts the Magic back where they were a little while ago where their defense was good but just held back by its depth and its offense.
That might be little solace. Winning should still matter. And the team got at least some good news in upgrading Cole Anthony to questionable for Friday’s game after missing the last three games with a sprained right ankle.
The opponent to finish this quick two-game stay at home will be a tough one. The Chicago Bulls have played some of the best defense in the league and have been one of the best teams in the league. Even coming off a loss to the Houston Rockets on Wednesday and a blowout loss to the Indiana Pacers before then. This is a team that is struggling to get itself completely right. But they have some fantastic scorers who have asserted themselves this year.
3 Keys To Watch
Nikola Vucevic returns
The Orlando Magic got to meet with Nikola Vucevic last year in Chicago after trading him to the Chicago Bulls in what felt like a shocking trade. Vucevic was still getting used to his new digs in Chicago and the Magic played with intensity to get the win. It was one of the best wins the Magic had last year.
Nikola Vucevic though had not been back to the Amway Center yet — only Evan Fournier has returned since the trades last year. And it is expected to be an emotional return indeed. Vucevic detailed what some of those emotions are going to be like to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times. Vucevic revealed that there was some ongoing mutual dialogue about the possibility of a trade. While the move was externally surprising, it did not seem like something that was a surprise internally for the organization.
Ultimately, they both understood it was time to move on and part ways. And the Magic did right by their star player.
Vucevic though still means a lot to the organization. And clearly, the city and franchise mean a lot to Vucevic. It is a good thing Vucevic is back after missing time with COVID, having returned to the lineup Wednesday against Houston.
Settling for threes
The Orlando Magic fall into a lot of bad habits offensively. That is what one can expect when the team is 27th in the league in offensive rating. The Magic are not generating a lot of offensive force or push. There are a number of reasons for that — their roster and their struggles with the trend of switching defenses is a big one.
The other is their relationship with 3-pointers is still very different and still a bit of a struggle. The Magic are taking more efficient and progressive 3-pointers. And this team is not afraid to shoot it either. But therein lies the problem.
Orlando this year is fifth in the league in 3-point attempts at 39.5 per game. But the team is 22nd in field goal percentage at 33.3-percent. It should also then be noted that Orlando has only won two of the 12 games where the team took more than 40 3-pointers. That includes trying 42 3-pointers in Wednesday’s loss to the Charlotte Hornets.
Orlando has to be smarter with its shot selection and work to get in the paint more effectively. At the end of the day, kick-out threes are always better. And taking way too many attempts with this group would suggest they are settling for the outside.
Staying guarded
The big news for the Orlando Magic entering this game is the potential return of Cole Anthony. It remains a statistical fact that Orlando struggles when Anthony is out of the lineup. He has been the team’s best player in almost every way. The team has not only lacked some offensive force with him out of the lineup, but they have also struggled to function.
Anthony gives this team a certain amount of confidence and swagger. It seems to put Jalen Suggs in a much more preferred role as a defender and secondary playmaker rather than the primary ball-handler. Anthony just makes this team go. and seemingly even at half speed, he would be a big help to a team that just struggles to put the ball in the basket consistently.