The Orlando Magic will have a quick opportunity to avenge the last week’s loss to Brooklyn, when they host the Nets on Tuesday. This is already the second meeting between the two sides in which the Brooklyn Nets came out on top. In addition, the first matchup featured plenty of points and excitement (126:121), and the teams are bolstered by a positive start to the season. This promises to be an exciting encounter.
Nets at Magic
Spread: Orlando Magic -3.5 (-110) at BetDSI Sportsbook
Total: Over/under 229 (-110)
The Nets win again, top Atlanta
The Brooklyn Nets have a winning record for the first time in over 1,000 days. It’s just three games, but it worth celebrating after such a long wait. It was a nice team effort to defeat Atlanta Hawks 116-104 on Sunday. Most importantly, the Nets have managed to actually defend against an opposition, for the first time this season.
A part of the relatively low scoring was the early tip-off. Both teams started off slow, turning it over and jacking up poor shots. The Nets changed their starting lineup, starting LeVert over Crabbe, and it turned to be a poor decision. The starters didn’t fit well together and Nets found themselves behind early. They were energized as soon as Crabbe entered the game and promptly hit few shots. He played a big part in the win, scoring 20 points, most of them in crucial times. The back and forth game continued until the Nets got another boost off the bench – Jared Allen may have played only 15 total minutes, but was instrumental in picking up team’s defensive focus. He blocked 4 shots in the first half, helping his team create separation that turned into a nicely sized lead. Once the Hawks made a late run, the Nets wouldn’t budge and responded with a run of their own to protect the lead and cruise to the win.
Hollis-Jefferson briefly left the game to change his shoes that have caused him to fall three times in the first half. On one of these falls, his turned his right ankle a bit, but it didn’t seem too serious. The Nets played eleven guys against the Hawks, none more than 30 minutes.
Place: Amway Center, Orlando, Florida
Date/Time: Tuesday, October 24th, 2017. 7:00 PM ET
TV Coverage: NBCSB, MSG
Nobody’s stopping Vuc; Magic win in Cleveland
If the Magic have seriously considered trading Nikola Vucevic this summer, they sure are glad they haven’t. Montenegrin center has found a new level to an already good offensive game and has scored career-high 41 points against the Nets last week, showcasing his newest weapon, the three-point shot. Cavaliers coach Lue has been so concerned about Vucevic’s 6-of-8 shooting from downtown, that he changed his defense to address it. Little did it bother Vuc, who had connected on 11-of-16 field goal attempts to score 23 points in just 28 minutes. He added 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocked shots in an all-rounded game that he led his team win in Cleveland, 93-114.
The Magic also played without two starters, missing Elfrid Payton and Aaron Gordon due to injuries. D.J. Augustin filled in masterfully for Payton with points+assists double-double, committing just a single turnover. New acquisition Simmons once again shined off the bench, scoring 19 points in 20 minutes. Fournier played well too, but the Magic didn’t need him to do the usual much. As a team, they shot 44.4 percent, which is not a blistering return, but they were excellent on the long ball, scoring 17-of-35 attempts from the three-point range. They did it by moving the ball swiftly and accurately and generated a coach’s dream – 28 assists. Yes, the Cavs kind of sleepwalked into this one, but it doesn’t take away much from the excellent showing Vogel’s team put up.
They get Gordon back for the return game with the Nets, but Payton will remain sidelined. It won’t affect the rotations much, as it only slides rookie Isaac to the bench. Payton did play well in the first meeting, as did the Magic in general, but were victims of large free throw disparity.
Brooklyn Nets at Orlando Magic Game Trends & Prediction
Two game winning streak may be nothing to get excited about, yet it took 71 games last season for the Brooklyn to win consecutive games. This time, they have done it in three games. Their ATS record matches their straight-up record at 2-1, as they wouldn’t come close to covering in the blowout loss to Indiana. Easy schedule helped of course, but the Nets do have more costiveness in their game than last year. The game against the Hawks was the Nets first under this season, and it doesn’t seem that they’ll have many of those.
The Orlando Magic are scoring 117.0 points per game this season, and only a lackluster offensive output by the Cavaliers has prevented them from eclipsing the projected total points line in all three games. They covered against Miami and Cleveland, but failed to do so in Brooklyn as a 2-point underdog. This brings their ATS to 2-1, same as the Nets one.
A unique ranking system – AdmiRank helps you understand how good NBA teams are on a scale to 100. Both sides had a positive week and are trending up. Still, let’s remain realistic, the Nets and the Magic are still below the NBA average.
The Magic have shown better consistency and have a more talented roster, even without Payton. However, this game will likely be very similar to the last one – high tempo, plenty of shooting, porous defenses. Except for two big differences, one that goes pro each side. The Nets will not have such a big advantage with the foul calls and the free throws. The Magic won’t have the benefit of surprise with Vucevic’s popping to shoot threes. It’s going to be difficult for Mozgov to go up high, so we might see more of the young, long and quick Allen, or the Nets will downsize.
I’m hoping to have the home side and the over points, but the window is likely closing on both with the recent results.
My Pick: Orlando Magic -3.5 (-110)
Total: Over 229 points (-110)
