Orlando Magic vs. Dallas Mavericks (Jan. 30, 2022): 3 Things To Watch, Odds and Prediction
The Orlando Magic close their five-game homestand against the streaking Dallas Mavericks. Orlando aims to finish with a winning record on this homestand.
Orlando Magic (10-40) vs. Dallas Mavericks (29-21)
Time/TV: 7 p.m./Bally Sports Florida
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Line via WynnBet: Mavericks by 5.5
Tickets: $10-$495 on StubHub
2022 Season Series: Mavericks 108, Magic 92 in Dallas on Jan. 15; Tonight in Orlando
| Pace | Off. Rtg. | Def. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas | 96.2 | 109.8 | 106.8 | 52.3 | 25.5 | 12.9 | 23.8 |
| Orlando | 98.8 | 103.4 | 111.5 | 49.7 | 26.0 | 14.9 | 22.7 |
OMD Prediction
The Orlando Magic have to feel, all things considered, that they have had a good homestand. They have had a chance to win all four games to this point, dropping one to a livid Los Angeles Lakers team snapped to attention in the third quarter and then falling short with a poor fourth quarter against the LA Clippers. In between that were two blowout wins over the Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons.
So, the Magic have to feel they are playing some of their best basketball of the season. Pieces of the puzzle are starting to come together more consistently. Perhaps this is a point where we can begin shifting expectations from being pleased when they compete and have good moments in isolation to expecting them to pull together and win a whole lot more.
Clinching a winning homestand would be a good place to start to show this kind of growth. And this game against the Dallas Mavericks is probably their most challenging game.
Dallas has found its calling on defense of late and is starting to pick up its scoring. The Mavericks have started to play a whole lot better. Even on a back-to-back, the Mavericks are going to be a tough team for the Magic to crack.
112. 79. 103. 38. Prediction
3 Keys To Watch
Measures of improvement
The Orlando Magic’s homestand has been pretty successful. Well, going 2-2 when the team is 10-40 is going to feel like some form of success regardless. But there are some good numbers that have continued some ongoing trends for the Magic.
Orlando has the fourth-best defense in the league over the last four games, giving up 104.7 points per 100 possessions. That has continued a strong trend over the last month. In January, the Magic are eighth in the league with a 107.6 defensive rating.
The team’s offense has also taken a small step up. In January, Orlando is 29th in the league with a 103.8 points per 100 possessions. It is still not good. But in this homestand, the Magic are 23rd at 108.1 points per 100 possessions.
Baby steps, right? The Magic have to find better offensive consistency because their defense is slowly getting good enough to make up for it.
Dallas turnaround
The Dallas Mavericks have been a team still figuring themselves out in many ways. Jason Kidd though has had an undeniable impact on their defense. And while he has always had questionable offensive tactics, things are starting to click with Luka Doncic and the Mavericks again. They have gone from a slight disappointment to one of the surprising teams in the league.
Dallas is currently fifth in the league in defensive rating (105.8 points per 100 possessions) after finishing 21st at 112.3 points per 100 possessions (under coach Jamahl Mosley as defensive coordinator). That is a pretty impressive turnaround.
Considering the Mavericks were eighth in the league in offensive rating (114.6) last year, their fall to 19th (109.8) this year has been pretty stunning. The Mavericks are 18th in their last 15 games. So this team, despite all their offensive firepower, is still figuring out how to score.
Up and down with Chuma Okeke
One of the heroes of the Orlando Magic’s win over the Detroit Pistons turned out to be Chuma Okeke. Okeke had one of his best games of the season, scoring 17 points on 6-for-7 shooting.
It has not been an easy season for Okeke. He has struggled with his shot and an early-season hip injury. He has not really found his rhythm consistently. At least not in the way anyone thought his play suggested last year.
But Okeke is playing a lot better. He has scored at least 10 points in three of his last four games (that one miss was a four-point, 0-for-6 3-point shooting performance in the loss to the LA Clippers). In Okeke’s last 12 games, he is averaging 8.8 points per game and shooting 37.1-percent from beyond the arc.
Next. Orlando Magic need to keep their aggression to break through. dark
Those are all positive indicators. But obviously for the Magic, it is about making all these indicators much more consistent.