Highlights Video :
Orlando is playing the second of back-to-back games after a surprising win over the Raptors in Toronto last night, while Minnesota is looking to record their fifth win in six games.
Preview
The Orlando Magic (19-30) ended a three-game losing streak with the unexpected 114-113 win over the Raptors, thanks to their great display in the second quarter, which they won by 18 points, 33-15. Nikola Vucevic led the Magic with a double-double of 25 points and ten rebounds, along with five assists and game-high four blocks, D.J. Augustin added 21 points, while Jeff Green had 16. CJ Watson scored 15, Serge Ibaka contributed with 12 points and seven boards, while Elfrid Payton posted a double-double of 11 points and ten dimes. Vucevic and Ibaka have interesting match-ups against Towns and Dieng, while Aaron Gordon should bounce back after last night’s forgettable game when DeMarre Carroll guarded him with success. Evan Turner will be sidelined for a seventh straight game, and his shooting skills and three point conversions will surely be missed in this one.
The Minnesota Timberwolves (18-29) won seven out of their last ten matches and are looking good at the moment, and have even joined the race for the eighth position in the West, that leads to the playoffs. After suffering a home defeat to the Pacers, the Wolves beat the Brooklyn Nets, 129-109. Karl-Anthony Towns led Minnesota with a double-double of 37 points and 13 rebounds, and he also added a game-high four rejections, while Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine scored 24 and 20, respectively. Shabazz Muhammad had 18 points and seven boards off the bench, Ricky Rubio contributed with 14 points and six assists, while Gorgui Dieng posted a double-double of 12 points and ten rebounds. Towns is a player to watch in this one as well, but LaVine could have a big night against CJ Watson, while Rubio’s match-up against Payton could also be quite intriguing.
Keys to the game
Orlando Magic
The Magic are still without Fournier, while Meeks is out for the season, which means that they cannot rely on their outside shooting, and must win the game from the interior. Vucevic, Ibaka, and Biyombo can offer a lot in that regard, while Gordon, Payton, and Green are also capable of penetrating through the defence for easy baskets. The long possession and the frequent use of the frontcourt should be Frank Vogel’s recipe for tonight’s game as his team cannot run with younger Minnesota’s lineup.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The performances of the Wolves' trio of Towns, Wiggins, and LaVine were never questioned; Minnesota’s biggest problem is their thin bench and lack of quality rotational players who can step up when the team need them most. That was also the case in a win over the Nets, when only Muhammad played a significant role with 18 points, while the rest of the bench scored five in total. However, it was enough to beat the worst team in the NBA, but now it could be a problem against the Magic.
Orlando Magic projected starting lineup
PG – Payton / SG – Watson / SF – Gordon / PF – Ibaka / C – Vucevic.
Vucevic, Ibaka, and Gordon should lead the starting five in points, but Green and Augustin may contribute with some key points off the bench.
Minnesota Timberwolves projected starting lineup
PG – Rubio / SG – LaVine / SF – Wiggins / PF – Dieng / C – Towns.
Towns, Wiggins, and LaVine, should easily combine for 60-plus points, but they will need support from Rubio, Dieng, and Muhammad, and if they manage to provide it for them, Minnesota will win this game.
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