Orlando Magic vs. Denver Nuggets (Dec. 1, 2021): 3 Things To Watch, Odds and Prediction
The Orlando Magic return home and get Cole Anthony back from injury as Aaron Gordon brings the Denver Nuggets to town.
Orlando Magic (4-18) vs. Denver Nuggets (10-10)
Time/TV: 7 p.m./Bally Sports Florida
WATCH MAGIC-NUGGETS ON FUBO TV
FOLLOW LIVE @OMAGICDAILY
Line via WynnBet: Nuggets by 9
Tickets: $6-$378 on StubHub
2022 Season Series: Tonight in Orlando; Feb. 14 in Denver
| Pace | Off. Rtg. | Def. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver | 96.2 | 107.6 | 108.1 | 53.0 | 25.8 | 14.2 | 19.3 |
| Orlando | 99.1 | 100.6 | 111.4 | 48.2 | 27.2 | 15.3 | 21.6 |
OMD Prediction
Right now the Denver Nuggets, like Monday’s opponent in the Philadelphia 76ers, are simply trying to get their MVP-caliber center back into form. The Denver Nuggets broke a six-game losing streak on Monday against the Miami Heat thanks to Nikola Jokic’s return. He had 24 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists after a four-game absence with a knee injury. The Nuggets looked closer to normal.
Like the Orlando Magic, the Denver Nuggets have dealt with a lot of injuries. Jamal Murray is obviously still out with a torn ACL. Michael Porter Jr. is out with low back pain that may be far more serious and cause him to miss much of this season. Jokic really is the fulcrum for this team. And so they have lacked a lot of their offensive push.
Orlando will get Cole Anthony back for this game and that will prove to give the team some relief and some of its own offense back (especially with Jalen Suggs out). The Magic will have their work cut out for them still. But it should give them some new life.
105. 38. Prediction. 102. 73
3 Keys To Watch
Cole Anthony Returns
The Orlando Magic followed up their bad news of losing Jalen Suggs to a fractured thumb with some good news. Cole Anthony was moved off the injury report and is on track to make his return after a six-game absence (all losses) with a sprained right ankle. To say this news is welcome is an extreme understatement.
Anthony has been the only consistently positive offensive force for the team. The Magic have a team-best 107.7 offensive rating with Cole Anthony on the floor — the next best player is Moritz Wagner at 104.9 points per 100 possessions largely on the strength of garbage time minutes. Orlando has, predictably then, a team-worst 91.7 offensive rating when Anthony is off the floor.
To say the offense struggled during the six games Anthony was out is an understatement. Orlando posted only 95.7 points per 100 possessions in the six games Anthony was out. That is very very very bad. And that is probably an understatement.
Aaron Gordon in the right role
Aaron Gordon has been something of a revelation this year. Gordon is averaging only 13.9 points per game and 6.1 rebounds per game. But he is shooting a career-best 56.5-percent effective field goal percentage. That is actually by far the best of his career. It should be noted too that Gordon has an 18.6-percent usage rate, the lowest since his second season with the Magic (the infamous small forward year).
Gordon has really made his mark defensively. Opponents have shot just 42.3-percent on field goals where Gordon is the closest defender, 3.9 percentage points better than expected according to NBA.com’s tracking statistics.
In other words, Gordon is finally playing the defensive-minded, slashing role everyone always understood would be best for Gordon but that he never could play because the Magic did not have the personnel to put him in those situations.
It is fun to watch Gordon play like this. It is unfortunate the Magic could never unlock this part of him.
Wendell Carter vs. the Big
Speaking of defense, Wendell Carter deserves some kudos for his defense against Joel Embiid on Monday. Carter entered the league known for his defense and he has put that versatility on display all year. He likely will get the first crack at Nikola Jokic in Wednesday’s game.
Against Embiid on Monday, Embiid ended up with 16 points and 13 rebounds but made just 4 of 16 shots. Against Carter, Embiid made just two of eight shots for seven points and dished out four assists in 31.4 partial possessions.
Next. Orlando Magic again find it hard to learn much facing so many injuries. dark
Carter has been solid defensively all season. Opponents shoot 44.5-percent when Carter is the closest defender, 1.9-percentage points better than expected. That is what the team needs from him. And they will need that again in a game like this.