Game Preview: San Antonio Spurs @ Orlando Magic
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Photos by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images
After a season-high five-game losing streak sent the Spurs spiraling below .500 for the first time since January, San Antonio notched a much-needed dub as they upset the Mavericks behind a last-second go-ahead bucket from DeMar DeRozan. And with the good guys immediately hitting the road for a SEGABABA with the Magic, they won’t have much time to celebrate the end of their recent skid.
Luckily for the Silver and Black, they won’t be the only ones with weary legs as Orlando also participated in a tough tilt with the Milwaukee Bucks less than 24 hours ago. Not only will coach Popovich and crew have the luxury of playing an NBA bottom feeder, but they’ll have the benefit of taking them on while they’re at less than full strength, which should give them a prime opportunity to build some momentum.
Orlando; Monday, 8 p.m. EDT
LINE: Spurs -6.5; over/under is 220.5
BOTTOM LINE: Orlando looks to end its four-game home slide with a victory over San Antonio.
The Magic have gone 10-18 at home. Orlando is fourth in the Eastern Conference with 35.4 defensive rebounds per game led by Wendell Carter Jr. averaging 5.5.
The Spurs are 13-9 on the road. San Antonio ranks ninth in the Western Conference with 43.8 rebounds per game led by Jakob Poeltl averaging 8.0.
The teams meet for the second time this season. The Spurs won 104-77 in the last matchup on March 12. Rudy Gay led San Antonio with 19 points, and Nikola Vucevic led Orlando with 26 points.
Orlando Magic prefers to let the season play out and will likely explore possibilities on how to deal with Otto Porter Jr.'s situation in the offseason.
Milwaukee takes on Orlando Sunday, looks to halt 3-game skid
Milwaukee Bucks (32-20, third in the Eastern Conference) vs. Orlando Magic (17-35, 14th in the Eastern Conference)
Orlando; Sunday, 7 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Milwaukee heads into the matchup with Orlando after losing three straight games.
The Magic are 10-19 in Eastern Conference games. Orlando ranks eighth in the Eastern Conference in team defense, giving up only 111.7 points while holding opponents to 46.8% shooting.
The Bucks are 18-10 against Eastern Conference opponents. Milwaukee is second in the NBA scoring 118.9 points per game while shooting 48.5%.
The two teams square off for the second time this season. The Bucks defeated the Magic 121-99 in their last matchup on Jan. 11. Giannis Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee with 22 points, and Nikola Vucevic paced Orlando scoring 28 points.