The Orlando Magic complete a rare preseason back-to-back as they look to build on a win Thursday with a quick trip to play the Dallas Mavericks.
Orlando Magic (1-1) at Dallas Mavericks (1-0)
Time/TV: 8:30 p.m./NBA League Pass
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Line via WynnBet: Mavericks by 9
Tickets: $6-$563 on StubHub
2022 Season Series: Mavericks 108, Magic 92 in Dallas on Jan. 15; Magic 110, Mavericks 108 in Orlando on Jan. 30
2023 Season Series: Oct. 30 in Dallas; Nov. 9 in Orlando
| 2022 Season | Pace | Off. Rtg. | Def. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando | 99.7 | 103.9 | 112.1 | 50.3 | 24.9 | 14.4 | 22.3 |
| Dallas | 95.6 | 112.5 | 109.1 | 53.8 | 25.6 | 13.0 | 24.9 |
OMD Prediction
The Orlando Magic made some important progress in their win over the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday. The picture is nowhere near complete and the team would like to see the pieces start to come together more clearly. But they are also aiming to experiment with lineups. So some mistakes are allowed.
Add on top of that this is a back-to-back. Inevitably some players are likely to get some rest or scaled back. So do not expect a whole lot in the way of results from this one.
Still, there is a lot to gain every time the team hits the floor. If the Magic continue to limit mistakes, play with aggression and reduce their fouling, they will consider the game a pretty strong success.
3 Keys To Watch
Defend without fouling
The Orlando Magic’s big repeated message from its first two preseason games is to defend without fouling. The Magic love the physicality they are starting to bring and the team wants to act like it is a solid defensive team. Maybe they have not earned all the respect. But there are still plenty of moments where they are late to spots or biting on pump fakes.
The Magic have committed 27 fouls in each of their first two preseason games. That is what cost them in the loss to the Memphis Grizzlies in many ways and that is something that burned them throughout Thursday’s win over the San Antonio Spurs. The Magic committed 11 fouls for nine free throws in the first quarter as they fell behind by 15.
The Magic’s defense was better through much of the rest of the game. But those pieces are still coming together. And this remains a big one.
Questions for Jalen
Jalen Suggs has had to sit and stew on a lot of questions after his disappointing offensive rookie year. The injury to Gary Harris has opened up an opportunity for the Orlando Magic to see and test the young rookie. After explaining how he revamped his jumper, everyone was eager to see the results.
There are some encouraging signs — he is shooting more confidently and hitting a few more. But the overall picture through two preseason games has been mixed, to say the least. Suggs has scored 10 points on 4-for-10 shooting so far this preseason. He has totaled eight turnovers with five coming in the loss Monday to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Suggs has been playing a lot of point guard this preseason. It seems the Magic want to try to experiment with him in those lineups. That may not be where he ends up when the season begins. But that is where the team is playing him now. And Suggs has not exactly impressed to this point.
A little bit Moe?
So far this preseason, Moe Wagner has been an afterthought for the Orlando Magic. He has played limited minutes — just 31:39 in two games — and has largely been with the backup group. He got more playing time in the Monday game against the Memphis Grizzlies with Mo Bamba in the starting lineup.
To say the least, the focus has not been on Wagner this preseason. The Magic largely know what they are getting out of Wagner and how he fits into the lineup. He just has not been part of the experimenting and examination the team wants to see in preseason.
But he has played very very well.
He had 15 points in the loss Monday to the Memphis Grizzlies and then added another 10 points in 11.5 minutes in Thursday’s win over the San Antonio Spurs. That is a lot of production in a limited amount of time. The Magic should feel very comfortable with what they have with Wagner.
The fact that he added some clutch plays to secure the win Thursday should only add to his legend and the understanding that he can play and earn a place in the rotation. Maybe he already has and the Magic are trying to see if someone can take it from him. That argument is getting tougher to make.