NBA Matchup: Brooklyn Nets vs Orlando Magic
Time: 7:30pm EST
Date: 18 December 2021
After losing to the Miami Heat, Orlando Magic take on the eastern conference number one seed Brooklyn Nets in the Barclays Center. The last time these teams played each other, the Nets defeated Orlando 115-113.
Brooklyn Nets season so far
The Brooklyn Nets will face Orlando on a four-game winning streak as they defeated Detroit Toronto, Philadelphia and Atlanta. But the biggest concern for the Nets has been the unavailability of seven players due to the health and safety protocols. The Nets enter this game 10th in the league in scoring as they average 110.3 points per game. Brooklyn is 11th in the league in rebounding with 45.3 boards and 6th in assists by dishing out 25.4 dimes a night. The Nets are 12th in the league in scoring defence by allowing 106.5 points per contest.
34 points
11 rebounds
8 assistsJust unbelievable. pic.twitter.com/9pGkqVChuR
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) December 17, 2021
With key players missing, Kevin Durant has been the leader of the Brooklyn Nets with 29.7 points plus 7.9 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game. He is the current scoring leader of the league and is on pace to win his fifth scoring title. James Harden has also picked tremendously after a slow start to the season. The Bread is putting up 20.8 points, 7.9 rebounds and 9.6 assists a night.
Orlando Magic season so far
The Orlando Magic will enter the Big Apple on a seven-game losing streak as they are placed 14th in the Eastern Conference. Currently, the team is without Jonathan Isaac (knee), Michael Carter-Williams (ankle), E’Twaun Moore (knee) and Markelle Fultz (knee), affecting the depth out of their rotation. The Magic enter this game 28th in the league in scoring offence as they average 101.3 points per game on the season. Orlando is 18th in the league in rebounding with 44.6 rebounds per contest while they are 26th in assists by dishing 21.9 dimes a night. Defensively, the Magic are 27th in the league as they allow 111.8 points per match.
Franz Wagner over his last ten games:
17.0 PTS
5.3 REB
4.0 AST
1.2 STL
38.7% 3P pic.twitter.com/UtzPC3nrwR— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) December 17, 2021
The Magic are also missing their sophomore star, Cole Anthony, who has been out due to an ankle injury. Anthony was averaging 19.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.6 assists before getting injured. Rookie Jalen Suggs was also looking good with stats of 12.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists until he too suffered a thumb injury. But despite injuries, another first-year player in Franz Wagner is averaging 19.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists without Suggs and Cole. While he is averaging 14.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.1 steals per contest this season
Brooklyn Nets vs Orlando Magic Match Predictions
Brooklyn Nets are the clear favourite to win against the Orlando Magic. Offensively, Brooklyn Nets are the 10th best team in the league in comparison to the Magic, who are ranked the 28th in the league. The Nets also trump Orlando on defence as they are ranked 12th in the league. In the 2021-22 season, Brooklyn has defeated Orlando twice and will possibly defeat them for the third time.
Injury Report:
Brooklyn Nets:
Nicolas Claxton – Wrist – Game Time Decision
David Duke – Hip – Game Time Decision
Kevin Durant- Ankle – Expected to be out until at least Dec 19
Kyrie Irving- Not Injury Related – Expected to be out until at least Dec 23
Patty Mills- Rest – Expected to be out until at least Dec 19
James Harden – Covid-19 – Expected to be out until at least Dec 23
James Johnson – Covid-19 – Expected to be out until at least Dec 23
Bruce Brown – Covid-19 – Expected to be out until at least Dec 23
DeAndre’ Bembry – Covid-19- Expected to be out until at least Dec 23
Jevon Carte – Covid-19 – Expected to be out until at least Dec 23
Paul Millsap – Covid-19 – Expected to be out until at least Dec 23
LaMarcus Aldridge – Covid-19 – Expected to be out until at least Dec 23
Joe Harris – Ankle – Expected to be out until at least Jan 1
Orlando Magic:
Cole Anthony – Ankle – Game Time Decision
Moe Wagner – Covid-19 – Expected to be out until at least Dec 26
R.J. Hampton – Covid-19 – Expected to be out until at least Dec 28
Wendell Carter Jr. – Lower Leg – Game Time Decision
Mo Bamba – Ankle – Expected to be out until at least Dec 26
Terrence Ross – Covid-19 – Expected to be out until at least Dec 28
E’Twaun Moore – Knee – Expected to be out until at least Dec 20
Michael Carter-Williams – Ankle – Expected to be out until at least Dec 20
Iggy Brazdeikis – Covid-19 – Expected to be out until at least Dec 28
Markelle Fultz – Knee- Expected to be out until at least Dec 30
Jonathan Isaac – Knee – Expected to be out until at least Jan 30
Jalen Suggs – Thumb – Expected to be out until at least Dec 30
How to watch Brooklyn Nets vs Orlando Magic?
The NBA League Pass will stream the game live. Local coverage of the matchup is available via YES Network and Bally Sports Florida.