Magic vs. Jazz: 3 Big Things to Watch

ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic (16-26) nears the end of its road trip tonight with a match-up against the Utah Jazz (21-23.)

Following a thrilling 109-106 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday, Orlando faces another team hovering around a Western Conference play-in spot.

The Jazz, led by the duo of Lauri Markkanen and Jordan Clarkson, have gone just 3-7 in its last ten games, including a five-game skid.

Here are three things to watch in this interconference match-up...

Can Either Team Connect on Triples?

The Magic did a fantastic job making things tough for the Trail Blazers from long range the last time out.

Of the 35 three-point attempts Portland attempted, only six (17.1%), fell to the bottom of the nets.

Orlando was consistent on its close-outs and never slowed up on the energy even when Damian Lillard and company clawed their way back.

We will need to see much of the same if they want to improve to 3-1 on this West Coast road-trip.

On the season, Utah ranks fourth in the NBA in 3PM and 3PA, while ranking 14th in 3P%.

But over the past seven games, the Jazz are the fifth-worst shooting team from beyond the arc, knocking down just 32.6% over that span.

Containing Markkanen, Clarkson

A team many expected to finish with one of the worst records in the NBA this season, Utah has been led by the its two-headed monster.

Markkanen, who was traded to the Jazz in a three-team deal in August, is having a breakout season in year number six.

Posting career-highs in points (24.5), 3P% (41.1%) FT% (87.5%) and assists (1.9), the forward is making serious noise in the Most Improved Player running.

Clarkson is also having a career-year of sorts for the established veteran.

A longtime spark plug off the bench, the two-guard has fit seamlessly in his starting role for the Jazz, posting a career-high 20.7 points per game on .451/.359/.812 shooting splits.

Bol Bol Back?

After missing the Magic's previous four games with a non-COVID related illness, the big man was active for Tuesday's game against Portland, however Bol did not check into the road win.

Bol was is in the midst of a breakout campaign to return back to the floor tonight, as head coach Jamahl Mosley likely let the fourth-year man to get his win back under him.

Starting in 32 of his 37 appearances this season, Bol is averaging 12 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game (all career-highs).

Tipoff is scheduled for 9 p.m EST.

You can follow Riley Sheppard on Twitter @RileyDSheppard.

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