Orlando Magic vs. Houston Rockets (Nov. 7, 2022): 3 Things To Watch, Odds and Prediction
The Orlando Magic continue their homestand as they look to bounce back from a crushing loss and get back on track against the Houston Rockets.
Orlando Magic (2-8) vs. Houston Rockets (1-9)
Time/TV: 7:15 p.m./Bally Sports Florida
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Line: Magic by 4.5
Tickets: $8-$1,433 on StubHub
Season Series: Tonight in Orlando; Dec. 21 in Houston
| Pace | Off. Rtg. | Def. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | 101.7 | 106.0 | 115.4 | 49.1 | 33.8 | 16.5 | 27.0 |
| Orlando | 100.1 | 108.9 | 112.9 | 52.7 | 27.3 | 16.0 | 30.4 |
OMD Prediction
The Orlando Magic have been a team all year that has found a way to pick itself back up and inch toward improvement with their failings.
They have a game with a lot of turnovers? They clean it up the next game. They foul a lot in that game? They foul less the next. It has been a game of whack-a-mole to play a “perfect” game but the effort and intention to improve have all been there.
One area the Magic have struggled with this year is playing with a lead. They have blown double-digit leads in games against the Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks and Sacramento Kings. The team is not used to managing leads and executing for a full 48 minutes and it shows. The team is learning how to play with a lead.
Something new then in this game. The Magic are the betting favorite and have a significantly better statistical profile. This is a game where the Magic should feel they are the better team and it would be hard-pressed to find anyone to disagree. Now we see how they handle that pressure.
Prediction. 107. 169. 115. 38
3 Keys To Watch
The turnover battle
Why did the Orlando Magic lose to the Sacramento Kings on Saturday? De’Aaron Fox’s 3-pointer at the buzzer is the proximate cause for sure. That gets the headlines.
But the Magic know it was their third-quarter performance when they got outscored 36-12 and turned the ball over nine times for 15 points. That is how a 20-point lead got flipped into eventually a 10-point deficit.
And that is the biggest demon Orlando is fighting right now, especially without a natural point guard running the show.
Orlando is currently 25th in turnover rate at 16.0 percent. They turn the ball over a lot. And they tend to come in bunches. That is when the Magic run into trouble.
Additionally, Orlando gives up 20.7 points off turnovers per game, 27th in the league. These are the hidden points that keep the Magic from succeeding at the level they want.
Building at the line
The Orlando Magic got to the line just 20 times in Saturday’s loss to the Sacramento Kings. Paolo Banchero had just five free throw attempts. Those are all below average, which is quite a thing to say considering the team’s history in getting to the foul line the last decade.
But that is the important thing. Orlando’s offense is built on its ability to get to the line. The Magic are third in the league in free throw rate. And with the team’s poor outside shooting, getting to the line is a critical element in the team staying afloat.
This is where the Magic struggled in the second half against the Kings. They were unable to get to the line consistently and their offense started to sputter as they tried to force their way inside.
Orlando needs balance obviously. The team needs better outside shooting and more ball movement. But getting to the line will be a big key to this game.
Battle of the bigs
A lot of people will probably watch this game curious to see how Paolo Banchero matches up with fellow 2022 Draft pick Jabari Smith. Or to see how Franz Wagner matches up with 2021 draft classmate Jalen Green. All those matchups will be fun to see how those young players grow.
But the one to watch may well be how Wendell Carter and Alperen Sengun match up. This will be a big battle between two promising bigs starting off their seasons well.
Sengun is averaging 16.8 points per game and 9.9 rebounds per game while shooting 60.2 percent from the floor and 5.1 free throw attempts per game.
Next. Orlando Magic's successes built in the little moments. dark
He is crafty on the block and the Rockets like dumping the ball to him to settle their offense down and try to collapse the defense. It will be a big task for Carter to slow him down and be solid on the block. But he usually seems up for the challenge.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.