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The Magic, what’s left of them anyway, start what’s arguably their hardest stretch of the first-half schedule.
All of it begins Friday night time in Houston, the place a Magic crew with out Aaron Gordon, Markelle Fultz, Michael Carter-Williams, Chuma Okeke, Al-Farouq Aminu, Jonathan Isaac, probably Evan Fournier, and for all intents and functions, Mo Bamba, will tackle the Rockets.
Regardless of having extra rotation gamers injured than lively, this Magic crew has an opportunity to enhance to 7-2, which might tie a franchise file for finest begin to a season.
The @OrlandoMagic have opened the season 6-2. Orlando has began 6-2 six different occasions (final 2017-18).
The Magic have an opportunity to tie the crew’s finest all-time begin after 9 video games (7-2) with a win tonight at Houston.
1994-95
1995-96
1998-99
2007-08#MagicTogether— Orlando Magic PR (@Magic_PR) January 8, 2021
To take action, they’ll need to defeat a 2-4 Rockets crew that’s but to discipline a full roster of their very own, most notably being the latest absence of heart Christian Wooden. Accidents have mixed with the uncertainty and commerce rumors circulating round James Harden, in addition to the incorporation of a big-name participant in John Wall, making for a disappointing begin.
Steve Clifford, although, praised Wall when chatting with reporters on Thursday, saying he “seems good, actually good really,” highlighting his potential within the open court docket and when attending to the basket or passing off the dribble. It is going to be a real “Welcome to the NBA” project for rookie level guard Cole Anthony as he makes his first NBA begin, taking on for Fultz, who tore his ACL on Thursday. Far more on Anthony’s first begin here.
The Rockets additionally characteristic one other former All-Star making an attempt to regain his kind after battling damage in DeMarcus Cousins, who stuffed in for Wooden in Houston’s loss to the Pacers on Wednesday, posting 9 factors, 14 rebounds and 4 blocks.
“When he’s on the ground, they’re 5 out,” Clifford stated.
Clifford additionally praised new-addition David Nwaba, who can stretch the ground, although he’s hitting simply 25% of his three-point makes an attempt up to now this season, and Eric Gordon, who’s averaging practically 20 factors a sport this season and was known as the Rockets’ X-factor by Clifford.
The Magic have gained all three of their street video games this season, albeit in opposition to the likes of Washington and Oklahoma Metropolis. After they take the court docket in Houston, they could accomplish that with just one starter who was slated to start the season within the first unit: Nikola Vucevic. With out Gordon (who’s out on account of left hamstring damage administration) and probably Fournier (again spasms), and with James Ennis nonetheless on a minutes restriction after making his debut on Wednesday, Clifford can have a choice to make for the ultimate spot within the Magic beginning 5 (assuming Gary Clark will get a second straight begin).
A type of gamers can be tasked with slowing Harden, who’s averaging 29.4 factors on the season however, over his final three video games, has shot simply 36.4% from the sphere (20-for-55).
It’s going to be a difficult sport for the shorthanded Magic, who enter as 6.5-point underdogs.
Who: Orlando Magic (6-2) at Houston Rockets (2-4)
When: Friday at 8 p.m.
The place: Toyota Heart – Houston, Texas
TV: Fox Sports activities Florida
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