Orlando Magic vs. Washington Wizards (Jan. 9, 2022): 3 Things To Watch, Odds and Prediction
The Orlando Magic return home after a frustrating loss to the Detroit Pistons as the team now looks for some relief and an unrelenting schedule this week.
Orlando Magic (7-33) vs. Washington Wizards (19-20)
Time/TV: 6 p.m./Bally Sports Florida
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Line via WynnBet: Wizards by 7
Tickets: $8-$486 on StubHub
2022 Season Series: Wizards 104, Magic 92 in Orlando on Nov. 13; Tonight in Orlando; Jan. 12 in Washington, D.C.; March 30 in Washington, D.C.
| Pace | Off. Rtg. | Def. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 97.9 | 108.6 | 110.9 | 52.5 | 24.3 | 13.6 | 25.4 |
| Orlando | 98.6 | 102.9 | 112.4 | 49.2 | 26.7 | 15.1 | 22.7 |
OMD Prediction
The Orlando Magic have a surprisingly positive attitude even in the middle of an eight-game losing streak. The team has lost the last four games all coming down to the final quarter. The team is taking them all as learning lessons — as Cole Anthony said after Wednesday’s loss, they are getting the “stink” out now.
Still, the Magic need a win. They should be hungry to get one. And they missed a good opportunity Saturday night against the Detroit Pistons. They let the Pistons play with more fire and despite their best efforts to close the gap in the second half, the Magic could not get or make the shots down the stretch to win.
The Orlando Magic will have to respond well again in a difficult back-to-back, much like last Monday’s loss to the Chicago Bulls. The Washington Wizards too should feel desperate for a win too. They have been waiting in Orlando. And that is a lot to overcome.
103. 38. Prediction. 112. 142
3 Keys To Watch
How you respond
The Orlando Magic got a pretty big hit to the mouth when they lost their lead to the Boston Celtics. That was definitely a loss that could have splintered the team and made them question the process. There were a lot of mistakes made in the closing moments of that game — and Jamahl Mosley admitted after Saturday’s loss in Detroit that he is still learning from his late-game reps.
The question we had then was how would the Orlando Magic respond playing in a back-to-back against the Chicago Bulls the following night. That was a schedule loss and the Magic could easily have been dispirited.
In that sense, the way the Magic played in a 102-98 loss was really encouraging. Orlando was in the game until the very end. They just ran out of gas toward the end as some shots fell no good and the team could not make up that last bit.
That is going to happen and the Magic could accept that kind of a defeat. They responded well. And they will have to do it again in this game.
Defensive slowdown
The Washington Wizards last year were all gas and no brakes. They tried to outscore everyone because their defense was not very good. Wes Unseld Jr. had a big task to build the team’s defense. It was vital to their potential and growth.
To start the year, the Wizards were really impressive defensively. Washington had a 105.6 defensive rating through the team’s first 20 games. Through Nov. 27, the Wizards were 11th in the league in defensive rating. That was an impressive turnaround even though the offense took a notable step back.
But since then, the Wizards have given up at least 100 points in 18 of their next 19 games. They have a 116.6 defensive rating, 26th in the league. The Orlando Magic’s struggling defense ranks better since Nov. 28 (112.9, 22nd in the league).
If there is a weakness for the Magic to attack, it is to find some relief offensively. Then again, the Detroit Pistons were not a good defensive team and the Orlando Magic could not crack them. Sometimes bad offense is bad offense.
Missing Wendell Carter
The Orlando Magic entered Saturday’s game injured. Cole Anthony and Franz Wagner played despite recovering from sprained ankles (and looked at it at some points). Wendell Carter sat out with a sore hamstring. The Magic have not listed their injury report as of noon on Sunday. So Carter’s status remains up in the air.
The Magic really missed him and his ability to be a lever on the team. It was painfully obvious even though Freddie Gillespie played well in his role and Mo Bamba was strong defensively. But Orlando missed Carter’s ability to direct play from the high post and set solid screens.
The Magic just lacked someone who could duck into the paint and finish around the basket. And Carter leads the team with 4.0 screen assists per game.
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That was a lot for the team to miss in last night’s game. As was Carter’s improved playmaking and passing and his general threat as a scorer.