- How To Watch:Â MagicTV 27 (Orlando); DAZN-Orlando (Orlando); MNMT (Washington, D.C.) Monumental+ (Washington, D.C.); NBA League Pass (National)
- STREAM MAGIC-WIZARDS ON FUBO TV
- How to Listen:Â 104.5 The Beat (Orlando); 106.7 The Fan (Washington, D.C.); The Team 980 AM (Washington, D.C.); Bloomberg 99.1 (Washington, D.C.); SiriusXM Channel 202 (Magic); SiriusXM Channel 901 (Magic); SiriusXM Channel 909 (Wizards); NBA Audio League Pass (National)
- FOLLOW LIVE: @OMAGICDAILY
- Tickets:Â $31-$229+ on StubHub
- 2027 Season Series:Â Tonight in Orlando; Nov. 22 at Washington, D.C.; Nov. 28 at Washington, D.C.; April 3 in Orlando
Orlando Magic vs. Washington Wizards: Stats and 3 Keys to Watch
Washington | Orlando | |
|---|---|---|
100.2 | Pace | 99.5 |
110.5 | Off. Rtg. | 108.6 |
109.3 | Def. Rtg. | 116.9 |
52.2 | eFG% | 53.4 |
26.0 | O.Reb.% | 29.2 |
14.8 | TO% | 17.3 |
34.3 | FTR | 31.7 |
1. It's all about discipline
The Orlando Magic have struggled to put all their pieces together to start their season. Their good moments have looked really encouraging, but they have not lasted long enough to build consistency.
A difficult schedule is part of this -- of the Magic's five opponents to open the season, they have faced three top-10 defenses. But the Magic have often beaten themselves.
They have lost games because of a poor job finishing defensive possessions with rebounds, mishandling the ball and turning it over and excessive fouling.
The adjustments are about effort and discipline.
The Magic are sitting 25th in turnover rate at 17.3 percent, 27th with a 64.0 percent offensive rebound rate and 18th in the league giving up a 29.8 percent free throw rate.
The Washington Wizards give a momentary relief, but not much of one.
They are 10th in the league with a 109.3 defensive rating. But they do not force many turnovers, sitting at 27th, forcing a 13.6 percent turnover rate. And they do not grab a ton of offensive rebounds, sitting last with a 26.0 percent offensive rebound.
That is not a reason to take a breath. It just means the Magic must be disciplined to win the possession game.
They must also be disciplined to keep the Wizards off the foul line. Washington is fifth in the league with a 34.3 percent free throw rate.
Especially on their first back-to-back, the Magic must show they are locked into the game plan and not making the mistakes that compound and put the team in the hole.
2. 3-Point Boost
The Orlando Magic are still looking for that firm proof that what they are doing is moving them in the right direction.
They have all said the right things. And even visually, the Magic feel like they are doing more. The 3-point attempts are up. And when they go in, the Magic look truly dangerous on offense.
But the results have not followed. The Magic are still a bottom-10 offensive team at 22nd in the league. The team is 15th in effective field goal percentage.
It does not feel like the Magic have found their level. But it does feel like the Magic are getting their energy on both ends from their shooting.
When they do not turn the ball over, the shots are going up -- 14th in attempts at 38.2 per game. The percentages are not great yet though -- although jumping up to 11th at 35.4 percent.
The one area the Magic have the Wizards clearly beat right now is 3-point shooting.
Relying on making shots is dangerous for this Magic team. They have two games where they failed to reach 30 percent shooting. And Orlando struggled to shoot in the second half Sunday, and especially in the fourth quarter.
But Orlando needs its 3-point boost.
3. Franz the playmaker
A lot of Orlando Magic fans are feeling some frustration over Franz Wagner's start to the season.
He is averaging 19.7 points per game. But he is shooting just 39.4 percent from the floor and 19.4 percent from three. The Magic are 0-4 in the games he has a negative plus/minus and 2-0 when he has a positive plus-minus.
Like the team, Wagner has not put all the pieces together. Everyone knows how important he is, especially with Paolo Banchero out.
That does not mean Wagner is not making a difference. Wagner has the ball in his hands a lot and has taken over as the team's leading playmaker.
Wagner is averaging 6.7 assists per game, an assist more than his previous career high. Against the Boston Celtics on Sunday, he had a career-high 12 assists.
The increase in playmaking responsibility has alos led to an increase in turnovers. The Magic are going as Wagner goes at this point.
Orlando Magic vs. Washington Wizards: Injury Report & Projected Lineups
Washington Wizards Injury Report
- Alex Sarr - OUT (Left Knee Soreness)
- Justin Champagnie - OUT (Right Foot Surgery)
- Anthony Gil - OUT (Low Back Spasms)
- Tristan Vuckevic - OUT (Left Hip Impingement)
- Reece Beekman - OUT (Right AC Joint Injury)
- Jamir Watkins - OUT (Left ACL Repair/Surgery)
Orlando Magic Injury Report
- Paolo Banchero - OUT (Right High Ankle Sprain)
- Jalen Suggs - OUT (Right Kne Contusion/Bone Bruise)
- Anthony Black - OUT (Right Ankle Injury Management)
- Noah Penda - OUT (Right Partially Torn Hamstring)
- Jonathan Isaac - OUT (Left Knee Injury Management)
- Izaiyah Nelson - OUT (Left Ankle Injury Recovery)
Projected Starting Lineups
Washington | Orlando | |
|---|---|---|
Trae Young | PG | Jase Richardson |
Bilal Coulibaly | SG | Desmond Bane |
Kyshawn George | SF | Franz Wagner |
A.J. Dybantsa | PF | Tristan da Silva |
Anthony Davis | C | Wendell Carter |
Orlando Magic vs. Washington Wizards: Prediction
2027 Record: 2-4/2-4 ATS
The Orlando Magic are looking for a little bit of a breather. They are looking for some game where they can have a margin for error and figure themselves out.
When the schedule came out, everyone recognized the start would be difficult. The Magic faced some major contenders in their first six games. They struggled to find themselves and then injuries piled on top of that.
The Washington Wizards are not a chance to take a deep breath. Trae Young and Anthony Davis are established stars and dangerous in their own right. A.J. Dybantsa has had a strong rookie debut after returning from an ankle injury.
But the Wizards are a flawed team. They have struggled offensively to start the season. While they have a strong defense, they have also feasted on a lot of bad teams to build their 3-3 record.
The Magic are not playing well, but this is not a bad team. And that breakthrough is coming. Eventually.
There is no time like the present and the Magic need to get their first home win. The opportunity is presenting itself. It will be up to the Magic to get the job done.
Add us as a preferred source on Google