Inside The Wizards

The Deck Is Stacked Against Orlando

The Wizards are taking on the Magic after the Magic's team brawl against the Detroit Pistons. To gain more insight to the current state of the Orlando Magic, we connected with The Magic Insider's Jeremy Brener.
Candi Waller|
The Deck Is Stacked Against Orlando
The Deck Is Stacked Against Orlando

In this story:

Washington WizardsOrlando Magic

1) What is your current assessment of the Orlando Magic?

The Magic is a team with a lot of talent that hasn't been fully realized, mostly because of injury. Even nearly halfway through the season, their ideal 8-9 man rotation hasn't played together in a single game. However, the team is getting closer to that spot and while Orlando waits for that to happen, the young players are showing flashes but also dealing with the usual growing pains that young teams often go through.

2) The Orlando Magic was just involved in a huge brawl with the Detroit Pistons. Will this event impact their season? If so, how?

It might impact their next few games depending on who may or may not be suspended. However, it could affect the next couple of games and maybe provide a learning moment for some of the young players on the team. It's an incredibly tight-knit group, and I'm sure this brawl brought that team dynamic out, maybe even better than before.

3) What are the keys to victory against the Wizards?

Come out with energy! That's what helped them get these wins off in December and it has been lacking in losses against the Lakers and Pistons earlier this week. Players feed off of energy, and it only takes two players to score 20 points or so to get this team a win, so moving the ball, getting everyone involved and playing their brand of basketball.

4) Who are the projected starters for the Magic?

Markelle Fultz, Franz Wagner, Bol Bol, Paolo Banchero for sure. They have consistently been starters over the past month. As for the fifth starter, it's very likely that Terrence Ross fills that role. Second-round rookie Caleb Houstan and two-way players Kevon Harris and Admiral Schofield are the only other available options.

5) What is your score prediction and why?

Orlando has the deck stacked against itself tonight. I think the Wizards pull out a win, likely by 10 or more points.

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Candi Waller
CANDI WALLER

Candi Waller also known as "CWall" is the Founder and CEO of CWall® Sports & Entertainment, President of the CWall Foundation, Inc, the Managing Publisher of the Fan Nation Inside the Wizards site, and President of Bowie Television. A native of Gorgeous Prince George's County, Maryland, Candi has been an authentic lover of all sports since her childhood. She was such a sports fan at an early age that she notes one of her favorite childhood shows as the legendary "George Michael Sports Machine". Candi holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Hampton University, Master of Arts in Human Resource Development from The George Washington University and a certificate in Sports Industry Essentials from Columbia University.  Prior to and during her work in the sports industry, Candi has established her identity as a results-driven, relationship building advocate and professional with extensive years of experience leading and implementing successful strategic change, communications, and stakeholder engagement programs across geographically dispersed organizations. She’s worked across Big Four and Government Trusted Advisor consulting firms such as IBM, Deloitte, and the MITRE Corporation. She is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Women in Sports & Events (WISE), the National Press Club (NPC), the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), the Prince George’s County Chamber of Commerce and is an ambassador for the National Museum of African American History and Culture. In terms of what she likes to do for fun, that’s just it…anything that is considered fun, she’s all for it! She’s very close to her parents, brother, and sister, and has a host of nieces, nephews, and godchildren. 

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