Magic vs Clippers

Pregame Report from AdventHealth Training Center. ORLANDO – “The results will come.” That's the message Markelle Fultz and the Orlando Magic are preaching ...

"Before the season, I was definitely one of the guys who would say, ‘This is going to happen this season, we can do this and we can do that.’ And then you look up and we’re 5-20. We know it’s not going to happen in a week. “Continue to believe and believe in the process. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, is doing a periodic diary with the Associated Press this season to chronicle his first year in the NBA. It’s just exciting to see him on the floor.” – Mosley on Isaac Especially as somebody who’s been through something that he’s been through and just seeing the work that he’s put in, I’m just super happy for him.” – Fultz on Isaac I got to get up and down and play five-on-five with the G League guys and it was great. But again, I’m just happy for that guy because I know the amount of work that he’s put in and how tough it’s been through this process. As long as you continue to come in every day, work as hard as you can, (and) continue to try to learn from your mistakes, the results will come. Just happy to see those guys back on the floor. “We just have to continue to build,” said the No. Paul George, who missed the prior seven contests due to a hamstring strain, posted 19 points and seven assists.

The Clippers will be missing: Luke Kennard with right calf injury management, Marcus Morris with a non-covid illness, Norman Powell with a left groin strain, ...

This isn't a game the Clippers can afford to lose, as they have to take advantage of every lower leveled opponent. The Magic will still have rookie phenom Paolo Banchero and Bol Bol available to play. It's not going to exactly be must-see TV, but anytime Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are available together has become a rare watch.

The Orlando Magic continue their homestand as they take on the LA Clippers, who are themselves getting their stars back from injury.

The Clippers are last in the league in points per game and 28th in the league in offensive rating at 108.3 points per 100 possessions. That is an obvious statement and something the Magic have been missing for the last decade. Orlando has to do well on the glass to have a chance. The Orlando Magic and LA Clippers are two of the worst offensive teams in the league by the numbers. The Clippers have a 115.6 offensive rating with Leonard in the game across the six games he has played. In either case, rebounding will continue to be a big focus for the team. This is the ride the ups and downs of the league that everyone talks about to the point of cliche. This is the consistency the team needs to learn. The LA Clippers will be missing some key offensive players — Luke Kennard, Marcus Morris and Norman Powell are all OUT. It was not enough to win and the team finds itself with a nine-game losing streak, but the team played with a focused effort and stuck to its game plan. The Orlando Magic did a lot of things well and lost to a very good Milwaukee Bucks team. This is a good game to test that.

The Los Angeles Clippers take on the Orlando Magic. We continue our NBA odds series with a Clippers-Magic prediction and pick.

The Magic rank ninth in rebound differential and tenth in rebound rate. He’s tied with Banchero for the team’s lead in assists with 3.8 APG, while also chipping in 4.1 RPG. In Wendell Carter’s absence, he has performed well as a starter. Despite a strong record and position on the West’s ladders, the Clippers have struggled with lineup inconsistency. The Magic are 10-14-1 against the spread while 50% of their games have gone over. Banchero leads the team in both scoring and assists as he averages 21.7 PPG and 3.8 APG. They’re a formidable defensive team where they rank 18th in points allowed and 26th in defensive efficiency. The Clippers are 11-14 against the spread while 68% of their games have gone under. Leonard has consistently missed time thanks to unclear injury management, but he’s shown flashes of being the 2019 Finals MVP. Leonard is a massive variable but if he’s healthy he gives LA an incredibly high ceiling for the season and vastly improves their chances of covering tonight. LA ranks 30th in scoring and 27th in offensive efficiency. They make their mark on defense, however, where they rank fifth in points allowed and efficiency.

Magic vs Clippers recap: Magic beat Clippers 116-111 in OT, snap 9-game losing streak.

The Magic shot 4 for 18 with seven turnovers in the first period and trailed 32-14. Cole Anthony's 3-pointer started a 12-2 run late in the first half to get the Magic within three points. ... G Jalen Suggs (ankle), F Chuma Okeke (knee) and G Gary Harris (hamstring) did not play. ... G Norman Powell missed a fourth game with a strained left groin. Paul George and Kawhi Leonard combined for 17 points in the first quarter and the Clippers made five 3-pointers in the first seven minutes to race to a 23-6 lead. Bol Bol and Mo Wagner each scored 20 points for the Magic, who trailed by 18 points in the first quarter.