5 key Orlando Magic matchups to look forward to in March

While Orlando Magic fans may be counting down the days and games remaining in the 2022 regular season, so that the NBA Draft, and possibly, free agency can bring new faces to the team in hopes to bring the squad wearing Magic across their chest, back to playoff contention.

In a down season, such as the one Orlando has had this season, there are always some key moments or matchups. There are always games that will test just how far this young team has come.

As the final full calendar month of NBA games is underway, the Orlando Magic seek to finish a displeasing 2022 campaign with some positive takeaways from some of the league’s top contenders.

There is plenty to keep an eye out for in March, the last full month of the regular season. This upcoming month showcases talented stars matching up against Orlando’s core, day-in and day-out.

Will the players roll over and enter offseason mode early? Or will they tighten up their sneakers and come ready to play? Finishing out an already underwhelming season, on a positive note.

The must-see-TV

March 5: at Memphis Grizzlies

When the Orlando Magic make their lone trip to Memphis for a matchup against the energetic, trash-talking, grit-and-grind Memphis Grizzlies team, adrenaline should reach a high.

This should especially be the case for Magic guards Jalen Suggs and Cole Anthony, as they will likely draw the matchup against the dazzling young MVP candidate, Ja Morant.

During the matchup versus the Grizzlies on Feb. 5, Morant recorded 33 points and seven assists, with a +22 on the positive side of the plus-minus scale — all game highs.

Although Anthony and Suggs scored 22 and 17 points respectively when Morant and his Grizzlies came to Amway Center, neither of the Magic’s young guard duo played particularly well with a combined plus-minus of -21, with each player playing nearly 30 minutes.

While it has become a common feat to end up in one of Morant’s many highlights this season, Orlando’s guard tandem should seek to put an end to Morant’s recent stellar play — which has included two 45-plus-point scoring efforts.

If the gameplan to slow down Morant is executed, the Magic can use a positive defensive effort, as a building block of “what can be” for Anthony and Suggs.

Eastern powerhouses home stretch

March 13: vs. Philadelphia 76ers
March 15: vs. Brooklyn Nets

When the newly assembled superstar tandems of James Harden and Joel Embiid along with Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and possibly Ben Simmons come to town, Orlando Magic fans should be sure not to miss those games.

Although Orlando is on pace for its third consecutive losing season — the second such missing the playoffs — there should always be light at the end of the tunnel or the glass is always half full, or whatever other corny line you can insert into that sentence.

But, it is true.

And when Eastern Conference powerhouses come to visit Central Florida, the Magic should always look to lay building blocks. Getting good late-season wins against playoff-bound teams are always feathers in the cap for rebuilding teams.

I could only imagine putting on my arm and leg sleeves, lacing up my sneakers, tucking in my jersey and then seeing your name on the whiteboard, which assigns you Embiid on defense.

That is what Mo Bamba will face on March 13. And, of course, the last time Bamba had that responsibility, Embiid dropped 50 points on him.

Here is another big opportunity for Bamba.

When Nikola Vucevic was traded to the Chicago Bulls last season, the playing time door swung wide open for the fourth-year big man. But the numbers have not improved as much as Orlando probably had high hopes of.

While signs have not always pointed upwards for Bamba, he has put up his two best scoring efforts against Philadelphia, with 32 and 19 points, both coming in losses. Orlando may want to see another strong effort from Bamba before versus one of the league’s premier big men before making any decisions this offseason.

The Brooklyn Nets will also bring with them plenty of star power to the Amway Center.

One, because when NBA champions Kyrie Irving –who is allowed to play in road games right now — and Kevin Durant showcase their individual talents against a young Orlando team, lessons are to be learned.

But the Magic have split the season series with Brooklyn, and if the team can win a season series against a perennial powerhouse like the Nets, there’s a small win to lean on.

Of course, the Magic’s win came against a COVID-depleted Nets team. And the Nets’ win came with Durant scoring 30 points on 11-for-12 shooting.

Adding to that is the sheer speculation surrounding Ben Simmons — and Ben Simmons alone.

While almost every NBA fan has witnessed the Simmons soap opera unfold since his meltdown against the Atlanta Hawks in last year’s playoffs, and with the one time Central Florida resident yet to play since his move to Brooklyn, the question remains: when will he take the court?

A key date to watch — March 15th, in Orlando.

The fellow rookies come to town

March 17: vs. Detroit Pistons
March 20: vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

While Jalen Suggs nor Franz Wagner will likely win Rookie of the Year this season, the 20-year-old rookies have not had a negative first-year campaign.

Both players sit within the top five on the team in scoring, with Wagner’s 15.5 points per game only trailing team-leading Cole Anthony.

The Magic sure have some bright moments headed their way if the two rookies can continue to grow. Especially when your fellow draft class members, the Detroit Pistons’ Cade Cunningham, and Oklahoma City Thunder’s Josh Giddey step onto the hardwood under the lights of Amway Center.

Yes, both Cunningham and Giddey are both being considered among the brightest stars of the loaded 2021 NBA Draft. Yet if the pair perform in their respective matchups with the Magic as they did during the Rising Stars game last month, the Magic should be in good shape.

For some reason, athletes who share a draft class also seem to share a kinship and a competitive edge. It usually presents itself to be a weird, but interesting power dynamic, that makes for great storylines. And well, it is time for the Magic rookie duo to make some story lines, with strong play against fellow 2021 draftees.