Orlando Magic at Dallas Mavericks (Jan. 15, 2022): 3 Things To Watch, Odds and Prediction
The Orlando Magic snapped their 10-game losing streak. But there is no time to celebrate as they take on the Dallas Mavericks to close their road trip.
Orlando Magic (8-35) at Dallas Mavericks (23-19)
Time/TV: 9:30 p.m./Bally Sports Florida
WATCH MAGIC-MAVERICKS ON FUBO TV
FOLLOW LIVE @OMAGICDAILY
Line via WynnBet: Mavericks by 11
Tickets: $17-$524 on StubHub
2022 Season Series: Tonight in Dallas; Jan. 30 in Orlando
| Pace | Off. Rtg. | Def. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando | 98.6 | 103.2 | 112.1 | 49.3 | 26.8 | 14.9 | 22.2 |
| Dallas | 96.0 | 109.3 | 106.7 | 52.2 | 25.6 | 12.9 | 22.7 |
OMD Prediction
This may be one of the weirder back-to-backs that both the Orlando Magic and Dallas Mavericks will face all year. Orlando traveled from Charlotte to Dallas after defeating the Charlotte Hornets in a 7 p.m. tip. That would normally scream schedule loss.
But the Mavericks are also on a weird trip. They had the late 10 p.m. Eastern Time start in Memphis on Friday. So the Magic were already on the plane heading to Dallas before the Mavericks even hit halftime of their game. The Dallas Mavericks did end up winning running away with a killer second half, upending the streaking Memphis Grizzlies.
This game is going to be about who can dig in and find the energy to get through to the end of this one. Both teams are playing relatively well with the Magic finally getting over the hump and winning on Friday.
Prediction. 100. 38. 105. 79
3 Keys To Watch
Speed up to slow down
The Orlando Magic might experience some whiplash in this one. They are going from playing one of the biggest possession-heavy teams in the league to one of the teams that play with the fewest possessions in the league. Not to mention going from one of the worst defensive teams in the league to one of the best.
The big thing for the Magic then is to make sure they are the ones controlling the pace and valuing possessions. Friday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets was not a good one for turnovers (for either team). But the Magic have been decent with turnovers of late.
For the season, Orlando is 23rd in the league with a 14.9-percent turnover rate. These turnovers have been an issue as have giving up points off those turnovers (16.2 per game, 17th in the league). But in January, the Magic are at a 13.9-percent turnover rate (17th in the league) and giving up 17.6 points off turnovers per game (20th in the league).
The Mavericks are not going to turn the ball over a lot. So there will undoubtedly be a battle to value possessions and take advantage when they get that chance.
Luka’s bad is good
Luka Doncic has been somewhat nondescript this season. He is not making the waves that he usually does this season — minus that triple-double he posted to silence the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday. But even then he was quiet until he was not.
Even if this is the worst season Doncic has had since his rookie year, do not take that as a sign he is not delivering. Doncic is averaging 24.8 points per game with 8.5 rebounds per game and 8.9 assists per game. That scoring might be down from his levels the last two seasons, but he is still a tour de force (even though he is averaging nearly five turnovers per game too).
Doncic will have the ball in his hands a lot. And he knows how to manipulate the defense. Orlando will have to be on its game to handle him.
Cool-Down Cole
Cole Anthony has grown in a lot of ways. A game like Friday night against the Charlotte Hornets was a big-time sign of that growth. Anthony scored only eight points on 2-for-8 shooting. But he dished out eight assists and helped get the team over the finish line and finally win a game.
For Anthony, the eight field goal attempts represented the first time he did not shoot 10 field goals in a game this season. The ball has been in Anthony’s hands and he has been a more than willing shooting. That is what Orlando wants from him.
Seeing him pass up on shots right now and focus on his playmaking is a welcome sign too. Anthony, still likely feeling the effects of spraining both of his ankles in the last few weeks, has been struggling with his shot lately.
Next. Orlando Magic kept their cool and broke their losing streak. dark
In Anthony’s last five games since returning from the ankle injury, he is averaging 16.8 points per game and shooting 32.1-percent overall and 27.0-percent from deep. Orlando absolutely has needed better efficiency from Anthony. But the good news is he is finding other ways to contribute with 7.2 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game in that same span.