Orlando Magic vs. Philadelphia 76ers (Jan. 5, 2022): 3 Things To Watch, Odds and Prediction

The Orlando Magic return home with a rookie of the month winner and the hopes of some health. The Magic are nearing being completely out of health and safety protocols and the chance to build.

Orlando Magic (7-31) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (20-16)

Time/TV: 7 p.m./Bally Sports Florida
WATCH MAGIC-76ERS ON FUBO TV
FOLLOW LIVE @OMAGICDAILY
Line via WynnBet: 76ers by 9
Tickets: $16-$447 on StubHub
2022 Season Series: 76ers 101, Magic 96 in Philadelphia on Nov. 29; Tonight in Orlando; Jan. 19 in Philadelphia; March 13 in Orlando

OMD Prediction

The Orlando Magic have had some positive play. They have given themselves chances to win more often. The blowouts are becoming less frequent. the team is more competitive.

All the team really needed is to get healthy again. The Magic’s injury is as dry as it has been in months — just two players (Robin Lopez and Markelle Fultz) remain in health and safety protocols. Cole Anthony (sprained ankle) and Wendell Carter (non-COVID illness) are questionable but seem likely to play.

That is some much-needed relief for a team that has dealt with injuries all season and a COVID outbreak the last few weeks. It is a small wonder the Magic have played so well and looked so optimistic even through it all. there are plenty of points of growth.

The Philadelphia 76ers are going through it some right now. They will be without Tyrese Maxey and Matisse Thybulle in health and safety protocols. But Philadelphia is still playing well, winning four straight behind Joel Embiid and his overall brilliance. The Magic are knocking on the door though, this will not be an easy one for anybody.

3 Keys To Watch

Cole Anthony nearing his return

A lot of what the Orlando Magic might be able to do in this game is probably contingent on Cole Anthony playing. It has been written in this space once and will be written again how important Anthony has been to this team and anything resembling success.

Anthony has slowed down some since his stellar November. Injuries have hurt him on that front. He is still averaging 20.0 points per game with a 49.9-percent effective field goal percentage. He is a high-volume scorer who was starting to slow down, but even in his cameo game against the New Orleans Pelicans, it was clear how much of an impact he can make on winning.

The Magic are still at their best when Anthony is on the floor. The team has a -2.5 net rating when Anthony is on the floor and a -14.6 net rating with him off the floor. The difference offensively is still quite stark — 108.2 on-court offensive rating compared to 97.7 off-court offensive rating.

The Magic’s offense has improved dramatically in the time Anthony has been out. So the question is just how much better will it be with Anthony set to return?

Embiid’s December

Orlando Magic fans were thrilled with the month Franz Wagner put in, as they should be. But Joel Embiid was the king of December in the Eastern Conference as the Philadelphia 76ers started to get themselves back into form and climb the Eastern Conference standings.

Embiid was named the Eastern Conference’s Player of the Month after averaging 29.2 points per game and 11.2 rebounds per game. The Sixers went 9-6 in that time. That has helped stabilize Philadelphia a ton and put the team back in a solid playoff footing.

During this recent four-game win streak, Embiid is averaging 34.3 points per game and 11.5 rebounds per game while also shooting 53.5-percent from beyond the arc. Embiid is doing everything for the Sixers. But he scored only 16 in the last meeting with the Magic. Orlando has some size to bother him. . . maybe.

Last ride for the new guys

The end of the COVID outbreak within the Orlando Magic means the team’s 10-day contract signings are nearing the end of their terms with the team. Hassani Gravett and Admiral Schofield will return to the Lakeland Magic after Wednesday’s game. Tim Frazier and Freddie Gillespie will return to their G-League teams after Saturday’s game.

It is not yet clear what the Magic intend to do with any of the four players. There is always the chance the team decides to cut Mychal Mulder and Ignas Brazdeikis and reward these players with two-way contracts instead. That is certainly possible.

Gravett and Schofield have played especially well and both have made a largely positive impact in their time with the team. Gravett is averaging 6.3 points per game and 2.5 assists per game with a 61.8-percent effective field goal percentage. The team has operated surprisingly well with him in charge.

The Magic have to be very thankful for how easily these players have integrated into the team and helped stabilize things these last few weeks.