Pregame Report from AdventHealth Training Center
ORLANDO – The Orlando Magic have a lot to be happy about this holiday season.
They’ve earned five straight home victories and have won eight of their last nine games overall.
The Magic will look to notch their sixth straight win within the friendly confines of Amway Center when they go head-to-head with the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET.
“Our game-to-game preparation has been great,” said Magic rookie Paolo Banchero. “We’re taking it one game at a time. We’re focusing in on every opponent and doing all that we can in that short time span to get the win.”
Over the course of Orlando’s successful nine-game stretch, both Banchero (21.8) and Franz Wagner (21.3) are averaging over 21 points per game. Four other Orlando players – Moe Wagner (15.0), Cole Anthony (13.9), Markelle Fultz (11.3), and Bol Bol (11.1) – are also scoring in double figures over that span as Orlando continues to move the ball and pick opponents apart as a unit.
“It’s just a willingness that we understand that we’re doing it by committee,” said Magic Head Coach Jamahl Mosley. “It’s not going to be one guy every single night. It’s going to be different guys, and everybody is going to make a contribution. I think our guys understand that and they’re willing to do that. They trust each other, they care about each other, and they want the man next to them to succeed.”
On the other end of the floor, Orlando has put together a top-five defensive rating (109.5) over the last nine games. They’ve pulled down the second-most defensive rebounds per game (36.0), while ranking top-10 in limiting opponents’ fast break points (12.9) and points in the paint (45.6) over that same span.
While the Magic have been surging, the Lakers have been struggling. Los Angeles has dropped its last four games, allowing their opponents to score 124-plus points in all four affairs. The absence of power forward Anthony Davis has been noticeable, further depleting the Lakers size and interior defense.
Still, anytime LeBron James steps on the floor, there’s plenty to be concerned about. The 37-year-old, four-time league MVP remains a top-10 scorer, posting 27.8 points per game to go along with 8.1 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 1.1 steals per game.
“He’s willing that team and he is going right now,” said Mosley of James. “He’s averaging close to thirty (points per game) in the month of December. His ability to just create for those others on the team. You have (Russell) Westbrook who is coming off the bench, who is always in constant attack mode. They’ve got some guys who are really out there going to get it. We have to do a great job of stopping them in transition first and then, finishing possessions off with a rebound.”
QUOTE TO NOTE: “For me, it’s going to be dope. It’s going to be a special moment for me, man. Anybody that knows me knows that’s been my favorite player since I was a young kid. (He’s) a guy that I’ve watched countless hours of. So, it’s going to be special for me being my first time getting to play against him in an NBA game. I’m excited. … I remember watching him when I was a young, young kid, so to be on an NBA court with him makes me scratch my head a little bit that this is real life. It’s going to be fun though. He’s a great player, a great competitor. (But) we’re going to try and go out and get the win.” – Banchero on facing James
KEY STATS: The Magic have won eight of their last nine games. The last time they had a nine-game stretch with either one or no losses in that timeframe was from Dec. 23, 2010 through Jan. 8, 2011 when they emerged with nine straight victories. Take a look at more key stats from this recent stretch here.
IN AND OUT: There are only three names on Orlando’s injury report.Jonathan Isaac (left knee injury recovery), Chuma Okeke (left knee surgery), and Jalen Suggs (right ankle soreness) are out tonight.
For Los Angeles, James (left ankle soreness) and Dennis Schroder (left foot soreness) are probable, while Anthony Davis (right foot; stress injury), Scotty Pippen Jr. (G League – Two-Way), Cole Swider (G League – Two-Way), and Juan Toscano-Anderson (right ankle sprain) are out.
HOW TO WATCH: Watch the game on Bally Sports Florida or tune in on radio via FM 96.9 The Game.