Orlando Magic vs. Memphis Grizzlies (Feb. 5, 2022): 3 Things To Watch, Odds and Prediction
The Orlando Magic get a big test as they face the scorching Memphis Grizzlies at the Amway Center to open a home back-to-back.
Orlando Magic (12-41) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (36-18)
Time/TV: 5 p.m./Bally Sports Florida
WATCH MAGIC-GRIZZLIES ON FUBO TV
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Line via WynnBet: Grizzlies by 7.5
Tickets: $20-$436 on StubHub
2022 Season Series: Tonight in Orlando; March 5 in Memphis
| Pace | Off. Rtg. | Def. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | 99.7 | 111.8 | 108.3 | 51.5 | 33.1 | 13.4 | 23.6 |
| Orlando | 99.0 | 103.9 | 111.7 | 50.0 | 25.7 | 14.8 | 22.6 |
OMD Prediction
The Orlando Magic are feeling very encouraged right now — even if they are still trying to take a day-by-day approach and understanding the good vibes might fade soon. But there is no doubting this team has reached a new level in winning four of its last six games. The team has and should be raising their expectations for the rest of the season.
This is a real challenge though. The Chicago Bulls were struggling when the team lost to them earlier this week. But the teams the Orlando Magic have beaten in this stretch are not exactly a murderer’s row — the Chicago Bulls without Zach LaVine, the Detroit Pistons, a solid Dallas Mavericks team and an injured Indiana Pacers squad.
The Memphis Grizzlies might have their own knock coming into this game — Ja Morant is QUESTIONABLE with right foot soreness. It is not clear whether he will play. But the Grizzlies are still a very good team without him — they went 10-2 in December with Morant out.
They defend well and they know who they are. If the Magic are able to sneak a win here, that would be a very impressive victory.
211. 103. 38. Prediction. 111
3 Keys To Watch
Freebies
Free throws have long been a focus of the Orlando Magic defensively this season. They struggled with giving up free throws at various points this season and that directly cost them the game against the LA Clippers two weeks ago.
But just as big of a focus should be the Magic’s ability to create free throws. They have a free throw rate of 22.6 percent (26th in the league) and average 19.7 free throw attempts per game (26th in the league as well). That is still a whole lot better than what the Magic have seen in their recent history (the decade since Dwight Howard left).
There is a difference in wins, however.
The Magic average 21.2 free throw attempts per game and post a 24.4-percent free throw rate in their wins. That means the Magic get nearly one free throw for every four field-goal attempts. When put that way, it shows that when the Magic win, they are typically more assertive and able to get to the foul line more effectively.
Ja-Dropping
Regardless of whether Ja Morant is able to play in Saturday’s early tip-off, everyone should be keenly aware of what the first-time All-Star starter is doing this year. And really what he has done to cement the Memphis Grizzlies’ culture as they have suddenly ascended to the top of the Western Conference.
Morant is averaging 26.3 points per game and 6.9 assists per game while shooting a 52.4-percent effective field goal percentage. He has become a walking highlight for his acrobatic finishes, jaw-dropping (pun intended) jams and chase-down blocks.
If your best player is supposed to set the tone for the rest of the team, there may be no one who sets that tone better than Morant. He is everywhere and doing everything for the team. He is hardly alone and Memphis can function well without him with several great shooters and solid defenders.
Memphis is not a team anyone should be sleeping on as the season progresses.
The Grizzlies spell
Despite all the success the Memphis Grizzlies have had since drafting Ja Morant — the Play-In Tournament in the bubble in 2020, a playoff berth through the Play-In Tournament last year and third in the Western Conference this year — the Orlando Magic have had a weird spell over the Memphis Grizzlies. In the last three years, they have seemingly been able to find some huge wins over Memphis.
In 2019, Orlando rallied to an overtime victory that really crystallized the team’s playoff bid that season. They went on to sweep the Grizzlies in 2020 — winning an early-season matchup before Morant found his footing and then again erasing a major second-half deficit for a win in the final game before the pandemic shut the season down. Last year, Orlando followed a blowout loss in Memphis with a thrilling come-from-behind win capped with Cole Anthony’s famous game-winning 3-pointer.
The lesson for Memphis might be not to take a huge lead on Orlando if recent history is to be believed.
dark. Next. Gary Harris has been the perfect veteran for Orlando Magic
Obviously, none of this has anything to do with this year’s team or anything like that. But there have been some memorable encounters with Memphis of late. And Orlando has won its fair share of them. Maybe the jersey will spark some magic once again.