The Orlando Magic face Brooklyn tonight on Game Day 12 in the Amway Center. The Magic are aiming for a second home win by beating the Nets.
The tip time is shown on the Orlando Magic website as being 12 midnight here in the UK (7:00pm Eastern for our friends in Orlando).
To watch the game live or on demand in the UK you will need an active NBA League Pass subscription. Never miss a game again and watch the entire 2021/22 season by subscribing to NBA League Pass.
The Matchup For Game Day 12 As The Orlando Magic Face Brooklyn
Last Games
Last time out Orlando ended their home court struggles with a thrilling Orlando win over the Jazz. The Magic offence fired, pushing the team to a first home court win of the season, by 100-107. Orlando’s defence also held a usually free scoring Utah team to 13 points below their season average of points per game. Twice holding Utah to scoring 15 points (in the first and fourth quarters) was the fewest points allowed in any quarter this season by the Magic.
Cole Anthony hit a season high 33 points and heard the Amway Center show it’s appreciation in chants of “MVP”. Wendell Carter Jr had his best game in a Magic uniform. Another double-double was secured with 22 points, 15 rebounds and 6 assists. R.J. Hampton was at his best in the final quarter, sinking three shots in the final three minutes. This included a 3-point bomb with 21.5 seconds left. Gary Harris had wrestled the ball from Bogdanovic, making the pass for the triple. Chuma Okeke also took a huge step forward after his recent return to the court. His efforts may not show up in the box score but his presence contributed in keeping Utah’s threat in check.
The Brooklyn Nets last played on Monday night, taking an 95-118 road loss to the Chicago Bulls. Kevin Durant led the Nets with 38 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. James Harden (14 pts) and LaMarcus Aldridge (19 pts) where the only other Nets players to score in double figures. Outplayed in every facet of the game, Brooklyn saw their offence falter and stutter all night.
Records For The Season
Orlando sit 14th in the Eastern Conference, with a losing 3-8 record. Brooklyn are surprisingly only 7th in the East, having a 7-4 record.
Orlando now score an average of just 100.5 points per game. The points conceded reduced to an average of 107.8 points per game. The Magic rank in the bottom five for NBA teams in offence, defence, steals, turnovers, two-pointers made, two-pointers attempted and our over all field goal percentage. However these and many other categories are improving and heading closer towards League averages. Still ranking badly for opposition offensive rebounds Orlando must continue to improve this to reduce second chance points.
Brooklyn their offence through Kevin Durant. They will play fast. Surprisingly scoring has been an issue, with an average of 105.1 points per game, whilst conceding only 104.6. Brooklyn take the least shoots per game of any team and are last for offensive rebounds. Defence is not a weakness, except in making steals where they are next to last.
Head-To-Head – The Brooklyn Nets
These two teams have played 120 regular season games but never met in the playoffs. The regular season record sees Orlando ahead 67-53.
Last season Brooklyn won the three game series 2-1, each team winning on home court. The 2019-20 season had seen Orlando take it 3-1. No season has been a sweep since 2016-16.
Our Opponents – The Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn have a good staff of coaching to assist Head Coach Steve Nash. Former player Tiago Splitter, the excellent David Vanterpool and former Magic assistant Jacque Vaughn are all present. Ex Magic Coach Steve Clifford is employed in a consultant role.
Things are not running smoothly for the Nets having lost star point guard Kyrie Irving through his well publicised decision to not have the COVID-19 vaccine. As I write the Brooklyn are listed on ESPN as having one other absence with Nic Claxton (PF) out for two weeks with an illness. David Duke Jr. (G and Kessler Edwards (both G League Two-Way contracts) are not included in the squad.
Brooklyn have been using a starting unit of James Harden (PG), Joe Harris (SG), Bruce Brown (PF), Kevin Durant (SF) and Blake Griffin (C).
From the bench has seen support from the likes of LaMarcus Aldridge, Patty Mills, DeAndre Bembry, Paul Millsap and James Johnson.
The Orlando Magic Injury Report
At the time of writing ESPN shows Orlando as having the same issues.
E’Twaun Moore remains out, diagnosed with a left sprained knee.
Michael Carter-Williams is out after undergoing surgery to remove a bone fragment and repair his left ankle ligament.
Jonathan Isaac continues to be out as he rehabilitates from a left knee ACL injury that saw him miss all of last season.
Markelle Fultz is still out after last season’s left knee ACL tear and subsequent surgery.
The Lineup As The Orlando Magic Face Brooklyn
Coach Mosely has been seeing nice continuity with the starting 5 and that should remain tonight. In all 11 opening games the team has been Jalen Suggs (PG), Cole Anthony (SG), Franz Wagner (SF), Wendell Carter Jr (PF) and Mo Bamba (C) starting.
Chuma Okeke, Terrence Ross, Gary Harris, Moe Wagner and RJ Hampton all came from the bench.
Robin Lopez, Mychal Mulder and Ignas Brazdeikis were all available but did not feature.
Check Out Other Orlando Magic U.K. Content
On each game day make sure to check Twitter and Facebook to play along with our Magic Moments competition. Simply comment with your prediction for each of five questions we will ask on that night’s game. At the end of the season we will send out a prize to whoever tops the league with the most correct predictions.
Be sure to subscribe to Orlando Magic U.K. YouTube channel for episodes of our podcast Penny For Your Thoughts.
Final Thoughts As The Orlando Magic Face Brooklyn
As said about many games this season so far this is no easy task for Orlando. Even as the Brooklyn have not hit the expected heights they are still a potent threat.
No one can ignore the quality that Kevin Durant brings to any team. He currently leads the league in total points scored and points per game. Whilst James Harden has not been his previous goal scoring threat so far this season he has been known to single handedly destroy the Magic. His threat can no t be ignored. Patty Mills and LaMarcus Aldridge can hit scores from the bench.
Orlando must be engaged again throughout this game on both ends of the floor. The ‘bell ringing hustle plays’ will be needed. Defensively players will be having to focus the full game. Any mistakes on defence or in handling the ball will be punished.
What is beyond doubt is that this Magic team will relish the opportunity to face a team of stars. They will go out to win and will not give in.
A win may be seen by many as unlikely but so was a win over the Jazz! If Brooklyn fail to take the challenge of playing Orlando seriously a second home court win of the season could be on the cards.
Let’s Go Magic!
