The Orlando Magic host the Washington Wizards in Wednesday night NBA action live from the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida, beginning 7 pm EST. Currently, the Wizards are favored by 3.5-points while the total stands at 224.5-points, down from 225.5 at the opening.
The Wizards enter this contest on a 4-game skid as they fell by 2-points at home due to a last-second buzzer beater versus the Toronto Raptors Monday night, their 30th defeat of the year. Russell Westbrook recorded yet another triple-double with 23 points, 14 rebounds, along with 11 assists while the team boasted 6 double-digit scorers; However, the Raptors held the team to only 39% shooting (34% from long-range) while they connected on 47% of their shots in the victory. Bradley Beal remains out indefinitely due to a hip injury while Rui Hachimura continues to be sidelined with a shoulder injury. Despite their loss to the Raptors, the Wizards covered as 5.5-point dogs, their 1st cover in 4 outings.
The Magic have dropped 4 of 6 (2-straight) heading into their matchup versus Washington with their most recent loss coming on the road at the hands of the Denver Nuggets last Sunday by 10-points. And while the offense posted just 109-points while shooting efficiently throughout the contest (47% FG/13 treys), the issue was their defense giving up 49% shooting to the Nuggets while allowing them to get to the line a total of 31 times (making 24). Orlando is also dealing with a laundry list of injuries at the time, thus relying on young players such as Dwayne Bacon for offensive production during this time. The guard, however, posted just 8 points versus Denver on 3-11 shooting while missing 3 of his 4 jumpers from deep. Despite their losing ways, the team has been outstanding against the spread 6-1 in their last 7, including as 17.5-point dogs versus the Nuggets.
The Magic have also done well versus the Wizards picking up 6-straight wins SU, including 3 of their last 4 at the Amway Center. Furthermore, Orlando is 5-0 ATS in their last 5 meetings while going 2-2 against the number in their last 4 at home.
Westbrook posts 19th triple-double
While Westbrook continues to record triple-doubles for the Wizards (5 in last 6), the guard has continued to turn the ball over during this time posting 32 in his last 6, overall. His carelessness with the basketball has certainly hurt his team in critical moments; However, he was responsible for putting Washington up by 2 with just 41 seconds left versus the struggling Raptors Monday night before Gary Trent, Jr. launched a last-second 3-pointer to end the game while prolonging the Wizards losing streak.
𝐖𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐔𝐋𝐓𝐑𝐀 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐄𝐏. 𝟕: 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐤'𝐬 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 🎥 @MichelobULTRA | @russwest44
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) April 1, 2021
With a hip contusion preventing Beal from suiting up while Hachimura also being questionable for this contest, the team has had to rely on the likes of Raul Neto, Davis Bertrans, and Alex Len for additional scoring. Len has posted double-digits in 3 of his last 4 starts and Bertrans has slightly increased his average in his last 2 outings. Neto has also increased his scoring output slightly during this time, yet is coming off a 4-point effort versus the Raptors. Furthermore, Deni Avdija posted a double-double in 2 of his last 3 starts in place of Hachimura, including finishing with 12 points and 10 boards in addition to a block versus Toronto.
Washington played a 2-game home set versus Orlando late-December with Westbrook posting a triple-double in game-1 while sitting for the 2nd matchup. Bertrans shot a combined 4-15 FG along with 3-14 from long-range in the set while Avdija posted a total of 14 points. Neto scored 11 in game-1 going 4-4 off the bench while starting in the 2nd to go 10-17 from the field for 22 points.
Hampton seeks to make an impact for Magic
Newly-acquired former Denver Nuggets guard R.J.Hampton has really turned heads since being traded just 5-games ago. He is not only averaging 13 points per game during this time while being a force on the defensive end as well racking up a total of 5 steals along with a block. Versus his old team, Hampton finished with 16 points on 7-13 shooting while also nailing 2 treys. The 19-year old averaged just under 4-points off the bench for a stacked Nuggets squad, but, has been a pleasant surprise for a Magic team that is badly in need of consistency on both ends since losing leading scorer Nikola Vucevic, Evan Fournier, and Aaron Gordon to free-agency.
If you had to pick one... What's your #ULTRAMoment of March? 👇 pic.twitter.com/zKdJPOXcKd
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) April 5, 2021
Otto Porter, Jr. (foot), Michael Carter-Williams (illness), and Cole Anthony (ribs) have missed multiple games due to injury. Newly-acquired Gary Harris (Denver Nuggets) has not suit up for the Magic as he is out until mid-April with a thigh injury.
Important to note that the Magic are only averaging 104 points per game on 43% shooting on the year. In fact, they have posted more than 110-points in only one of their last 6 matchups. Furthermore, they enter this contest averaging just 100 points per game in their last 2 while giving up an average of 128 during this time.
Notable Trends
- Magic are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight up loss.
- Magic are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games playing on 2 days rest.
- Magic are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
- Magic are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
- Wizards are 0-5 ATS in last 5 meetings.
- Wizards are 1-3 ATS in last 4 games.