Game Preview: Charlotte Hornets at Orlando Magic
INJURY REPORT:
HORNETS: PROBABLE - Terry Rozier (Groin), PJ Washington (Foot), OUT - Cody Martin (Knee), Frank Ntilikina (Tibia), James Bouknight (Knee), Nick Richards (Concussion)
MAGIC: OUT - Wendell Carter Jr (Hand), Markelle Fultz (Knee)
GAME PREVIEW: The Hornets are on a two-game winning streak for the first time this season. The Hornets are coming off of wins against the Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards. Not only that, but the Hornets could get back two key players for tonight's matchup in Terry Rozier and PJ Washington.
Terry Rozier has missed the last nine games with a groin injury. It will be interesting to see how Steve Clifford will handle his minutes if he's able to go. As well, many people are intrigued to see if Miller will be replaced in the starting lineup with the return of Rozier.
LaMelo Ball has been absolutely amazing across his last nine games as he's averaging 32.2 points per game, along with 6.7 rebounds and 8.7 assists, while shooting an impressive 49.1% from the field and 43.6% from three. However, LaMelo will most likely have his toughest matchup of the season. The Orlando Magic's defense is outstanding as they have a lot of wing defenders who play very physical like Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, and Jonathan Isaac.
The Magic have been one of the league's greatest surprises thus far. The Magic are 10-5 and sit just one game back of the Boston Celtics for the first seed in the Eastern Conference. The Magic are on a six-game winning streak that includes their most recent wins coming against the Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics. Orlando held the Celtics to just 96 points in their last game.
The Magic are very balanced all around, but they're led by Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero, who is averaging 19.6 points per game, along with 6.4 rebounds and 5.4 assists. He leads the Magic in all three of those categories. Franz Wagner is averaging 18.9 points per game, along with 5.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists.
Orlando's depth is filled with players that can defend and score the ball. Cole Anthony and Mo Wagner lead the charge off the bench as they're averaging a combined 26.7 points off the bench this season. Mo Wagner is coming off of his best game of the season versus the Celtics with 27 points in just 24 minutes. He has also averaged 15.4 points per game against the Hornets in his last five appearances.
The Hornets are going to need to have balanced scoring tonight if they want any chance of winning this game because it can't just be LaMelo Ball.
KEY MATCHUP: The Benches
The Hornets bench has been one of the major downsides to the roster this season, but it certainly hasn't helped with all of the injuries that have occurred this season, along with the Miles Bridges' suspension. The Hornets bench is averaging just 29.1 points per game, while the Orlando Magic's bench is averaging 45.8 points per game. With the likely returns of PJ Washington and Terry Rozier, it should expand the Hornets bench. Brandon Miller and PJ Washington will most likely come off the bench in tonight's matchup and will have to play an important role.
| Position | Hornets | Magic |
|---|---|---|
Point Guard | LaMelo Ball | Jalen Suggs |
Shooting Guard | Terry Rozier | Anthony Black |
Small Forward | Gordon Hayward | Franz Wagner |
Power Forward | Miles Bridges | Paolo Banchero |
Center | Mark Williams | Goga Bitadze |
