The Orlando Magic are back at it against the Memphis Grizzlies looking to make good on a blowout loss at home a few weeks ago and building off Friday’s win.
Orlando Magic (16-48) at Memphis Grizzlies (43-21)
Time/TV: 8 p.m./Bally Sports Florida
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Line via WynnBet: Grizzlies by 16
Tickets: $25-$390 on StubHub
2022 Season Series: Grizzlies 135, Magic 115 in Orlando on Feb. 5; Tonight in Memphis
| Pace | Off. Rtg. | Def. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando | 99.6 | 104.1 | 111.8 | 50.2 | 25.3 | 14.7 | 22.6 |
| Memphis | 100.0 | 113.1 | 108.9 | 51.7 | 34.1 | 13.3 | 24.6 |
OMD Prediction
The Orlando Magic got a measure of redemption in holding off the Toronto Raptors and finishing Friday’s game for a win. It feels like the Magic set things right and, more importantly, learned their lessons and applied those lessons. That was a big moment of growth.
So here comes a game against the Memphis Grizzlies, a team that housed the Magic in a 20-point win in February exactly one month ago. That is a game Cole Anthony and the Magic remember. The question will be what will they do about it?
This game is going to be tough. The Grizzlies may not be a supernova like they were back then. Ja Morant still is. And the Grizzlies do everything the Magic want to do . . . just better. On the back end of a back-to-back with Wendell Carter OUT and Jalen Suggs QUESTIONABLE, this could be another long night.
3 Keys To Watch
On the rebound
The Orlando Magic have done one thing defensively really well. The team gives up 44.5 points in the paint per game, sixth in the league. The Magic have put a focus there — sometimes giving up too many threes in the process — and have found some success.
The area where the Magic struggle is with rebounding. They are 15th in the league with a 72.7-percent defensive rebound rate. Orlando gives up 13.7 second-chance points per game (23rd in the league). So teams are able to get offensive rebounds against the Magic.
The Memphis Grizzlies are one of the best teams at attacking the offensive glass. The Grizzlies are first in the league with a 34.1-percent offensive rebound rate. They score 18.2 second-chance points per game, the best in the league.
To be sure, limiting the Grizzlies to one shot is a big key in this game for the Magic to have a chance.
Ja every night
Every night it seems like Ja Morant is doing something more amazing. He has vaulted himself into the periphery of the MVP conversation and is quickly becoming one of the best young faces in the league. His All-Star introduction is only a prelude to what should be a star-turning playoff run.
Morant is coming off a really strong week. He scored 46 points, a then-Grizzlies record, in a win over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday. He followed that up with a franchise-record 52 points in a win over the San Antonio Spurs on Monday. And then he scored 38 points in a loss to the Boston Celtics on Thursday.
That is all super impressive. And it is becoming seemingly run of the mill for him. There may be no containing Morant when the Orlando Magic match up tonight.
Return of Markelle Fultz’s Return
It was no surprise the Orlando Magic opted to sit Markelle Fultz for one of these two back-to-back games. Markelle Fultz is still likely on something of a minute restriction and probably will not play his full minutes (even if Jalen Suggs ends up missing this game).
Still, his first two games could not have gone better. Fultz looked really good with good explosion and pace getting into the lane. He has been patient and has not done too much outside of what he is comfortable with. He is comfortable with a lot.
Fultz has scored 21 total points and dished out eight total assists. He is 10 for 13 from the floor overall, although he has not hit a 3-pointer yet. He has played 31 total minutes (16 in Monday’s game and 15 in Wednesday’s game).
Everyone remains very excited for what Fultz still has in store and how much he is going to continue to improve. It has been a strong debut for Fultz. And everyone is eager to get him going again.