By Josh CohenJan. 11, 2016
Key Questions
If Elfrid Payton is ready to go for Thursday’s game in London against the Raptors, will he start or will Scott Skiles continue to have Victor Oladipo in that spot? Is it possible both will start and someone else will move to the bench?
How can the Magic get back to playing smothering and punishing defense like they did earlier in the season? Opponents have shot higher than 40 percent from the field in 13 of the Magic’s last 14 games.
Will the trip to London and playing just one game in a span of eight days allow the Magic to revitalize? The Magic have looked like a tired bunch over the past couple of weeks.
Key Stats
Since returning to the starting lineup four games ago, Oladipo has shot 13-of-20 (65 percent) from 3-point range. Prior to this stretch, he was shooting 26.8 percent from downtown (30-of-112).
Nikola Vucevic ranks sixth in the league amongst centers in assists per game and since Dec. 1 he is averaging 3.2 dimes. Last season, he averaged 2.0 assists.
Despite the team’s recent slump, the Magic still rank in the top half of the league in offensive and defensive points off turnovers, second chance points and points in the paint.
The Magic prevented their opponent from shooting 40 percent or higher from the field in 10 of the team’s first 24 games. They have accomplished this just once in the last 14 games, however.
Key Observations
It will be imperative for the Magic to finish January with a slew of wins. The schedule in February is daunting. They play the Spurs (twice), Hawks (twice), Warriors, Clippers, Thunder, Pacers and Mavericks during that tough stretch.
It’s very apparent that the Magic are at their best offensively when the ball moves quickly and shots come without a dribble. In the team’s 20 wins, only 17.8 percent of their shots are pull-ups and 53 percent of the shot attempts come without a dribble. In the 18 losses, 22.8 percent of the attempts are pull-ups and 50 percent of the shots come without a dribble.
The Magic must stick to their defensive principles. Most critical is guarding the perimeter. Opponents have shot 38.2 percent from 3-point distance in the Magic’s 18 losses and just 30.2 percent in the team’s 20 victories.
Quote of the Day
“We really have to take this trip (to London) seriously and as professionals.” – Evan Fournier
