Orlando Magic at Portland Trail Blazers (Feb. 8, 2022): 3 Things To Watch, Odds and Prediction
The Orlando Magic open up a four-game road trip in Portland as trade winds sweep up the Portland Trail Blazers and seem set on getting the Magic too.
Orlando Magic (12-43) at Portland Trail Blazers (21-33)
Time/TV: 10 p.m./Bally Sports Florida
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Line via WynnBet: Even
Tickets: $6-$321 on StubHub
2022 Season Series: Trail Blazers 98, Magic 88 in Orlando on Jan. 16; Tonight in Portland
| Pace | Off. Rtg. | Def. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando | 99.1 | 103.7 | 112.1 | 49.9 | 25.5 | 14.7 | 22.8 |
| Portland | 98.4 | 109.3 | 114.1 | 52.6 | 26.3 | 14.1 | 24.8 |
OMD Prediction
The Portland Trail Blazers kicked off the trade deadline festivities Tuesday with a blockbuster deal that moved CJ McCollum to the New Orleans Pelicans and brought Josh Hart along with prospects Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Kira Lewis to the Blazers. The move was more about clearing cap room and creating a massive $20-million trade exception the Pelicans will hope to use to retool the roster around Damian Lillard this offseason.
In the immediate, that leaves the Blazers with a severely depleted roster thanks to last week’s trade with the LA Clippers that sent Norman Powell and Robert Covington out for Eric Bledsoe and Keon Johnson. Bledsoe is still out dealing with an Achilles injury and Johnson is out with an ankle injury.
Portland will still have Anfernee Simons, who has proven himself to be a scoring dynamo this year. The Magic will have to be able to guard him and keep him out of the paint to find success against the Blazers. But the window is open or the team to put in the effort and get right after a rough weekend and go into their own trade deadline mysteries with a good vibe.
111. 38. 103. 34. Prediction
3 Keys To Watch
Hit the glass
Rebounding has been an on-again, off-again problem for the Orlando Magic all year long. And right now it is clear off again.
The Magic for the season are 18th in the league with a 72.5-percent defensive rebound rate. They give up 13.5 second-chance points per game, 21st in the league. Rebounding has remained a bit of a sore spot. And it becomes more obvious because of the team’s small margin of error to set up its offense.
The last two games, the team gave up 16 offensive rebounds and got pounded on the board. It was a big part of why the Memphis Grizzlies and Boston Celtics were able to get separation from them. It was a reason too why the Portland Trail Blazers got separation in the team’s matchup in Orlando about a month ago.
In that game, the Blazers grabbed 11 offensive rebounds for 13 second-chance points. Jusuf Nurkic had 22 rebounds total and four offensive rebounds. The Magic got beat up on the glass and that remains a big inconsistency for this young team.
Missing McCollum
The Portland Trail Blazers are obviously missing Damian Lillard. He is the center of their offense and the team made the moves it made Tuesday night as a way to reset things around him and try to branch out. And so this is the swan song for CJ McCollum.
McCollum was averaging 20.5 points per game with a 52.0-percent effective field goal percentage. He scored 16 points on 7-for-13 shooting in his first game back from a collapsed lung against the Magic in January.
Portland has some offensive weapons who can fill in. Anfernee Simons will get pushed into a bigger role and that was part of what made the Blazers finally comfortable to move him and reset their franchise. Jusuf Nurkic remains a bulldozer inside. But the Blazers are missing one of their best creators and they will have to figure out how to survive without him.
Suggs Zag
Jalen Suggs has had an up-and-down rookie year. And the Orlando Magic have honestly probably risen and fallen with his level of play. When he is efficient and patient, the Magic offense works pretty well. When he struggles, the team struggles mightily with him.
Suggs will be happy to be in somewhat familiar territory. There will surely be a few people who make the 5.5-hour drive from Spokane, Wash., to Portland, Ore. It is the closest the NBA plays to that basketball mecca in Eastern Washington.
Next. Decision time on Mo Bamba has arrived. dark
Suggs scored 15 points on 5-for-14 shooting in his homecoming to Minneapolis in the win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. This is not quite home for him, but it is another opportunity to have a good game and get back on the horse.