The Magic are back-to-back in Dallas tonight on Game Day 45 to take on the Mavericks. Orlando are looking to make it two consecutive wins for only the second time this season. It is also a first return to Dallas for Magic Head Coach Jamahl Mosely.
The tip time in Dallas is a late one, shown on the Orlando Magic website as being 2:30am here in the UK (9:30 pm Eastern for our friends in Orlando). To watch the game live or on demand in the UK today you will need an active NBA League Pass 2021/22 subscription.
Let’s take a look at tonight’s match up, history and what to expect.
Last Games
Friday 14th January – Orlando Magic 116 -109 Charlotte Hornets
The Magic Performance – Moe Wagner had a night, hitting his season high in scoring and leading the team with 26 points, making 4 of 8 from deep. Franz Wagner scored 19 points and showed finesse in this performance. Footwork, court vision and determination were present throughout. Jalen Suggs returned after missing 20 games, coming off the bench. He was a catalyst for the improvement of the bench contribution. Finishing with 12 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists and a steal in 22 minutes Jalen’s return was a welcome sight. Gary Harris registered 18 points in the effort. This maintained a run of double-digit scoring, which now stands at 20 in his last 21 games. Cole Anthony provided 8 points on a night where his shooting was again not at its best. However he did notch 6 rebounds and 8 assists.
Friday 14th January – Dallas Mavericks 112 – 85 Memphis Grizzlies.
The Mavericks Performance- Luka Doncic led the team with a triple-double of 27 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. Six other Mavericks’ made double figure scoring, including 16 from Tim Hardaway Jr off the bench.
Season Records
Orlando’s record is now 8 wins and 35 losses, which sees the Magic remain last in the Eastern Conference. Of the last 10 games played the Magic have won 1. The home record stands at 2 wins of 17 games played, whilst on the road it is 6 wins in 26 played. In points per game the Magic score 102.1 whilst conceding 110.9, rating 28th on offence and 24th defensively.
Dallas have a record of 23 wins and 19 losses, which sees the Mavericks at the 5th seed in the Western Conference. Of the last 10 games played Dallas have won 8. The home record stands at 11 wins of 19 games played, whilst on the road it is 12 wins in 23 played. In points per game the Mavericks score 105.4 whilst conceding 103, rating 25th on offence and 3rd defensively.
Head-To-Head – The Dallas Mavericks
Of the 65 regular season games played Dallas have a lead of 38-27 over Orlando.
This will be the first meeting this season between the teams.
Dallas are on a 4 game winning streak over Orlando. Over each of the last two seasons Dallas have swept Orlando 2-0. The four seasons previously had all been split 1-1, with the home team winning each occasion.
The last time Orlando won in Dallas was on January 8th 2011, a 9 game road losing streak!
The teams have never met in the playoffs.
Our Opponents – The Dallas Mavericks
Head coach Jason Kidd is assisted by Orlando Magic Hall of Famer Darrell Armstrong.
At this point they do not have too much disruption to their squad. Looking at ESPN both Willie Cauley-Stein and Kristaps Porzingis will likely be out.
Last night Kidd started Luka Doncic (PG), Jalen Brunson (SG), Dorian Finley-Smith (SF), Maxi Kleber (PF), Dwight Powell (C).
From the bench came Tim Hardaway Jr, Reggie Bullock, Marquese Chriss, Trey Burke, Frank Ntilikina, Josh Green, and Sterling Brown. Boban Marjanovic did not play.
The Orlando Magic Injury Report
The Magic are back-to-back in Dallas tonight and the injury situation is improving. However ESPN is still not happy reading with big players still absent. The bonus is that each of the injured players are on the trip. We have seen video of each involved in shoot-around on this trip.
Wendell Carter Jr remains day-to-day, being a questionable game time decision with a sore left hamstring.
Mo Bamba is day-to day with a toe injury, making him questionable.
Markelle Fultz had been training with the Lakeland Magic but there remains no public timeline for his return.
E’Twaun Moore remains out with a sprained left knee.
Michael Carter-Williams is out after surgery to remove a bone fragment and repair his left ankle ligament.
Jonathan Isaac continues to be out as he rehabilitates from the surgically repaired left knee. He is said to be making steady progress. There remains no public timeline for his return to the court.
The Orlando Lineup As The Magic Are Back-To-Back In Dallas
Magic Head Coach Jamahl Mosley makes his return to Dallas tonight, where he was an assistant coach for the last seven seasons. He will again be hoping to be able to add Bamba and Carter Jr into the rotations.
Last Magic Starting Lineup – Cole Anthony (PG), Gary Harris (SG), Franz Wagner (SF), Chuma Okeke (PF), Robin Lopez (C)
Last Magic Bench Unit – Jalen Suggs, Terrence Ross, Moe Wagner, RJ Hampton, Admiral Schofield (DNP), Ignas Brazdeikis (DNP)
Final Thoughts As It Is Back At It With Washington For Orlando
Orlando’s offence will again be hoping for strong contributions across the team. That offence usually relies heavily on Cole Anthony, Franz Wagner, Gary Harris and Terrence Ross but last night Moe Wagner found the spark.
Franz Wagner has scored double figures in 37 of his 43 NBA games, including attaining 20-points or more on 10 occasions. He is now firmly on every team’s scouting report.
Chuma Okeke has showed improvement in form since coming into the starting unit. Again that must continue. Jalen Suggs was the leader from the bench, giving others the opportunity to score as he showed both his potential and value. Tonight is another step on that path for the rookie.
Dallas rely heavily on the playmaking and scoring skills of Luka Doncic. He is exceptionally capable of doing damage to Orlando and makes those around him better. Tim Hardaway Jr and Maxi Kleber also have a history of hurting the Magic.
Dallas shoot the long ball heavily, but not accurately, the opposite is true of the two-pointer. They do not commit a lot of turnovers but are not a good rebounding team.
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Let’s Go Magic!
