The Orlando Magic are back on the road after getting their first win as they take on a Dallas Mavericks team still trying to come together and rally behind their superstar.
Orlando Magic (1-5) at Dallas Mavericks (2-3)
Time/TV: 7:30 p.m./Bally Sports Florida
WATCH MAGIC-MAVERICKS ON FUBO TV
FOLLOW LIVE @OMAGICDAILY
Line: Mavericks by 9.5
Tickets: $14-$2,790 on StubHub
Season Series: Tonight in Dallas; Nov. 9 in Orlando
| Pace | Off. Rtg. | Def. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando | 99.6 | 106.2 | 110.0 | 51.0 | 25.5 | 14.7 | 28.5 |
| Dallas | 96.9 | 117.9 | 110.3 | 55.7 | 29.7 | 14.5 | 38.5 |
OMD Prediction
The Orlando Magic and the Dallas Mavericks are probably moving in two different directions right now. The Magic are riding high having finally put everything together for their first win and embracing the crazy things that make them unique. The Mavericks thought they were cruising but then hit a roadblock in a crushing overtime loss last night to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Mavericks are still figuring out their new team after some shifts following their Western Conference Finals run last year. Both the Magic and Mavericks then are still finding themselves and their teams in this early part of the season.
Someone has to emerge in this one. The Magic and Mavericks are both good at getting to the foul line and that might be the key to who wins this one. Who can defend effectively and keep the other off the line.
3 Keys To Watch
Defensive Improvement
The Orlando Magic entered this season touting their defensive identity and versatility. But so far, the results with the team’s defense have been inconsistent. The team has fouled too much, struggled to get back and matched up in transition and just generally looked a bit lost within their scheme.
Friday’s win saw the Magic get on the same page and play much more assertively and confidently defensively. They switched effectively and scrambled to contest 3-pointers. Their length bothered the Charlotte Hornets and kept the Hornets from attacking effectively.
While the Magic’s defense still has its struggles, there is undeniable improvement in the last few games. After giving up at least 110 points per 100 possessions in three of the first four games, the Orlando Magic posted a 107.3 defensive rating against the Cleveland Cavaliers and a 93.0 defensive rating against the Charlotte Hornets.
It is still early enough in the season that two great defensive games like that have vaulted the team to 12th in defensive rating overall. But progress is still progress. And this is something that appears to be coming together.
Late game woes
The Dallas Mavericks were frustrated in their overtime loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday because it continued a trend of late-game struggles for them. It is a symbol of the team’s lack of trust in each other early in the season and their over-reliance on Luka Doncic.
The Dallas Mavericks currently are currently 1-3 in clutch situations (we will get to the Orlando Magic shortly), giving up 131.6 points per 100 possessions in clutch minutes while scoring only 97.4 points per 100 possessions. In the fourth quarter, the Mavericks have a net rating of -4.8 points per 100 possessions including a 122.3 defensive rating.
The Magic are not faring much better. Orlando is 0-4 in clutch situations with a -77.2 net rating (70.6 offensive rating!). They have a -16.5 net rating in the fourth quarter as their offense struggles to get consistent scoring. That feels like a broken record.
If this game becomes a close one, there are going to be a lot of demons for each team to clear.
Help for Luka
Luka Doncic is an incredible player. That goes without saying. He is averaging a league-high 35.2 points per game to go with 10.8 rebounds and 9.4 assists per game. Doncic has a league-high 40.7-percent usage rate. Doncic is everything for this team and he is completely unstoppable.
But teams are quickly learning the way to stop the Dallas Mavericks is to let Doncic do his thing and cut everyone else off. Adding in Christian Wood to come off the bench was supposed to give the Mavericks another scorer. Having Spencer Dinwiddie was supposed to give them another creator.
Instead, the Mavierkcs have let Doncic handle everything. And while that is plenty effective because Doncic is so good and the Mavericks have enough shooters to twist defenses, it is not enough.
Not enough to get off to a fast start at least.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.