A Challenge For Orlando In San Antonio

The Magic embark on a road trip, which begins with a challenge for Orlando in San Antonio against a struggling but proud Spurs team.

The Stats

Orlando have a 28-40 record, remaining 13th in the Eastern Conference.
The Magic have won 4 of the last 10 games.
On the season Orlando score 111.6 points per game (27th of 30) and concede 114.3 points per game (17th of 30).
Last time out Orlando at home beat the Miami Heat 114-126, in a thrilling game that went to overtime. There were superb performances from Wendell Carter Jr, Jalen Suggs, Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Cole Anthony and Markelle Fultz.

The Spurs are in a rebuilding season. A 17-50 record puts them 14th in the Western Conference.
San Antonio have won 3 of their last 10 games played.
The Spurs score score 112 points per game (25th of 30) and concede a league worst 122.
San Antonio lost at home to the Oklahoma City Thunder by 102-90 in their last game on Sunday.

For Orlando Jonathan Isaac (hamstring) is out.
Franz Wagner is questionable after sustaining a sprained ankle against Miami after a “collision” with Kyle Lowry.
San Antonio have Tre Jones, Keldon Johnson, Jeremy Sochan and Malaki Branham all listed as day-to-day.
Former Magic centre Khem Birch is out for the Spurs through a knee injury.

The head-to-head with San Antonio is heavily with the Spurs, of 68 regular season games played Orlando have only won 20. The Magic won the previous meeting this season in Orlando in December by 113-133. That win broke 5 straight Spurs victories. The Magic last won the road game in November 2018.
With a game that is a challenge for Orlando in San Antonio comes opportunity to press for a play-in game berth.
San Antonio move the ball, rating 5th in assists. They shoot the 4th most shots per game, made up of 60-plus two points efforts per game. Offensive rebounds are a strength, getting them extra possessions and second chance points.
On defence the Spurs struggle in most facets of the game.
Keldon Johnson is scoring 21.6 points per game and leads the Spurs in scoring.
Paolo Banchero continues to lead the Magic scorers with 20 points per game, followed by Franz Wagner (18.8), Wendell Carter Jr (15.3), Markelle Fultz (13.6) and Cole Anthony (12.3).

For Orlando Markelle Fultz is proving hugely influential. Across his last 10 games Markelle has averaged 16.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.3 steals. Those figures have come on a field goal percentage of 54% and going 91% from the free throw line.
For the Spurs keep an eye on Devin Vassell, who plays at small forward or shooting guard. In his third season Vassell was having a breakout season before a knee injury in January. He has played 4 games since returning, scoring double-figures in 3 of those. In 33 games played this season he has averaged 18.6 points.