Orlando Magic vs. Flamengo (October 20, 2023): 3 Things To Watch, Odds and Prediction
The Orlando Magic conclude their preseason against Brazilian juggernaut Flamengo as they eye next week’s season opener.
Orlando Magic (2-1) vs. Flamengo (0-0)
Time/TV: 7 p.m./Bally Sports Florida
WATCH MAGIC-FLAMENGO ON FUBO TV
FOLLOW LIVE: @OMAGICDAILY
Line: Magic by 36.5/Over-Under: 218.5 on FanDuel
Tickets: $6-$206 on StubHub
2023 Season Series: None
2024 Season Series: None
| 2023 Stats | Pace | Off. Rtg. | Def. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando | 99.7 | 111.3 | 113.7 | 53.2 | 28.1 | 15.1 | 29.0 |
| Flamengo | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
OMD Prediction
The Orlando Magic will wrap up their preseason against Brazilian juggernaut Flamengo on Friday. This is a good game for the Magic to take care of themselves. But do not expect a super competitive game. Flamengo is fine for the Brazilian NBB, but this is not the NBB.
The Magic should have physical and speed advantages and this will be a good opportunity for the team to focus on itself and get its last bits of work in before the regular season starts. It should also be a good chance for the team to work in some players toward the back end of the rotation and give them their most extended looks of the preseason.
The game itself should not be competitive, but it should still be a good time at the Amway Center as Flamengo does have a solid international fan base, especially in Central Florida.
SCORE PREDICTION: Orlando Magic 125, Flamengo 93
3 Keys To Watch
Turnovers
The Orlando Magic have been intently focused on turnovers throughout the offseason and training camp. This is the central figure of the team’s directive to “play better basketball.” Orlando wants to make sure it is a team that does not beat itself and is difficult to play against. Not giving away possessions is a big part of that.
In some respects, the Magic have been better with turnovers. In other respects, they have not.
Orlando finished last year 27th in the league with a 15.1 percent turnover rate. Tuesday’s 19-turnover performance — for 24 Pelicans points — bumped the Magic’s preseason turnover rate to 15.1 percent. Do not worry, that is seventh among NBA teams in the preseason.
Will that be a number that keeps up or something that gets toned down when the season begins? For good measure, the Magic have a 14.5 percent turnover rate in the first half of their preseason games. (10th in the NBA).
Respect your opponent
So who is Flamengo?
Some Orlando Magic fans might be asking that since they do not remember Flamengo’s last trip to Orlando in 2018. This will be the fourth time the Magic have played Flamengo in preseason action. Orlando has won fairly comfortably every time.
Still, the team should respect this opponent despite the comical spread and the likelihood that this is going to be a blowout on the scoreboard. At the very least, that is a chance for the Magic to practice regular season preparation. This is a team that cannot skip steps or look past any opponent.
Flamengo is a juggernaut of Brazil’s NBB with eight championships and notable alumni like Oscar Schmidt, Anderson Varejao and Leandro Barbosa. This is the premier club of Brazil’s national league.
They finished second in the domestic NBB last year and were runners-up in the South American continental tournament. They feature some notable names including former Iona guard Scott Machado and former NBA draft pick Didi Louzada.
Opportunity abounds
I would not expect the Orlando Magic to run their full cycle and rotation as they have in the previous three preseason games. This game should be an opportunity to get other players their looks and a chance to get on the floor. Perhaps the starters play through their first rotation, but from then on we might be seeing more of players like Anthony Black, Jett Howard, Chuma Okeke and the Exhibit 10 players.
That is actually going to be really important. It will put Black and Howard in more lineups with rotation players and allow them to get comfortable playing with those players. That should help boost their stats and make them look better after some very rookie-like performances.
Next. Orlando Magic building leadership together. dark
For the Exhibit 10 guys, this game will be critical. They probably have futures secured with Osceola, but this will be a public chance to show the world what they can do and how they fit into the team concept. That is always important for them.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.