The Orlando Magic return home to begin their final week in preseason as they get a second chance against the preseason Memphis Grizzlies at the Amway Center.
Orlando Magic (2-1) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (2-1)
Time/TV: 7 p.m./NBATV, Bally Sports Florida
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Line via WynnBet: No Line
Tickets: $12-$1,246 on StubHub
2022 Season Series: Grizzlies 135, Magic 115 in Orlando on Feb. 5; Grizzlies 124, Magic 96 in Memphis on March 5
2023 Season Series: Jan. 5 in Orlando; March 28 in Memphis
| 2022 Season | Pace | Off. Rtg. | Def. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | 100.5 | 114.3 | 108.9 | 52.2 | 33.8 | 13.0 | 24.5 |
| Orlando | 99.7 | 103.9 | 112.1 | 50.3 | 24.9 | 14.4 | 22.3 |
OMD Prediction
One thing we should know about this Orlando Magic team is that they are flawed in some serious ways still and they are young. They will show that youth. But the other thing to learn about this team is their willingness to fight. That is a good sign too. Orlando has trailed by large deficits in all three of their games and they have fought back in all three to give themselves a chance.
That is both encouraging and discouraging obviously. Everyone is waiting for the Magic to put all the pieces together and make the turn toward the regular season. That is what these pair of games at the Amway Center need to be about.
The final score does not quite matter. The integration and how things are pointing toward the regular season does. And the Magic need to string together more positive moments than negative ones in these final two games.
3 Keys To Watch
Transition Defense
The Memphis Grizzlies have proven to be a very difficult matchup for the Orlando Magic in the last year. They seem to feast on the things the Magic struggle with most. Their nail-help defense blocks off the paint and with the Magic unable to get consistent penetration or hit from the outside, that ends up turning into major fast breaks.
In the Magic’s first preseason game against the Grizzlies, the Grizzlies posted 33 points off 25 turnovers and 30 fast-break points. In the Magic’s two regular-season games against the Grizzlies last year, the Grizzlies had a combined 25 points off 21 turnovers and 41 fast-break points (34 of those came in the March game in Memphis).
To say the least, the Magic have a lot to improve in protecting the ball, taking good shots and limiting the killer fast breaks that help Jal Morant fill highlight reels. This is an area Orlando has put a lot of focus on this preseason but has not quite executed.
This is a game that could be a sign to show their growth. The Magic’s success or failure this season is based on limiting those easy opportunities.
Franz Effect
The Orlando Magic have seen Franz Wagner for one preseason game so far as the team manages his recovery and workload after taking Germany to the bronze medal at EuroBasket. The Magic are still very excited about what is coming for Wagner this year.
But Orlando needs to see and test out lineups with Wagner a lot more. Doing that at home in these final two preseason games makes a lot of sense. Especially considering how well he looked in that game against the San Antonio Spurs — 12 points on 4-for-8 shooting and three assists.
The Magic were +6 in his minutes on the court during that game. That is not a whole lot to write home about. But by the eye test, it was clear how much better the Magic played with him on the floor. The ball just moved quickly and Wagner was a constant threat to put pressure on the defense.
Closer to rotation?
The Orlando Magic have just two preseason games left and it is still hard to get a sense of what this team’s rotation might be. Certainly, some of that is because of Jalen Suggs’ injury taking one player out of the rotation.
But Orlando has spent a good chunk of this preseason trying to test lineups out and try a few different things. They have not put all the pieces together in a meaningful way. Maybe that is intentional to hide what they actually plan on doing next week when the season begins.
The Magic though have to start taking a step toward a normal rotation and some consistent lineups. These last two games will not be a “dress rehearsal” for the season. But Orlando is going to start adding some more clues to how the team wants to play.
The games count soon.