Every so often in the NBA, a new “it” team comes along in the NBA.
And you can see them building toward greatness.
Minnesota did it a few years back, turning the corner in the COVID-19 season, when they won just 19 games. Two seasons later, they had a winning record and now they have one of the best marks in the league.
This season, Oklahoma City has become the franchise that has put mediocrity in the rear-view mirror.
Could the Orlando Magic who visit American Airlines Center on Monday be the next team to turn the corner?
The Magic, under former Maverick assistant Jamahl Mosley, were 22-60 in Mosley’s first season, 2021-22. They improved by 12 games last season and now haul a 24-22 record into Monday’s game as they have built a competitive roster through smart drafting and trades.
And they play extremely hard, especially on the defensive end, where they own the fourth-best rating in the NBA.
For a Mavericks’ team that has had trouble on the offensive end (largely because of injuries) lately, it’s not a good time to be seeing a team that pays attention on the defensive end.
As Jason Kidd has said, the Mavericks just aren’t shooting the ball straight right now.
Tonight would be a good time to relocate their collective shooting eye.
- The Magic are led by forwards Paolo Banchero (21 years old) and Franz Wagner (22). Both are averaging above 20 points per game game and fourth-year point guard Jalen Suggs has turned into a solid floor general, although the Magic usually run their offense through their two big men.
- The Magic are coming off a 113-98 win over Phoenix in Orlando, but they had lost four of five before that game. Against the Suns, Banchero had 26 points and former No. 1 overall draft pick Markelle Fultz, who has missed the bulk of the season to injury, had 14 points, four assists and five steals.
- This is the start of a five-game trip for the Magic, who will be in San Antonio on Wednesday.
- The Mavericks will be without guard Kyrie Irving for the fourth consecutive game because of a sprained right thumb. Questionable are Dante Exum (right knee), Dwight Powell (left eye) and Derrick Jones Jr. (left wrist). Maxi Kleber (right small toe) is probable.
- While everybody waits to see what Luka Dončić will do next, it must be noted that the Mavericks have lost four of their last five and are riding a three-game losing streak on their home floor.
- The schedule gets no easier. After Monday, the Mavericks visit Minnesota, which is tied for the lead in the Western Conference, on Wednesday, then return home to play Eastern Conference powerhouse Milwaukee on Saturday.
- Dončić, his 73-point monster still fresh in everybody’s minds, has averaged 50.5 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists over the last two games, the only person in NBA history to average a 50-point triple-double over a two-game span.
- The Mavericks are favored by 4.5 points and the over/under is 128.5 points.
ORLANDO MAGIC (24-20) at MAVERICKS (25-21)
- When/where: 7:30 p.m. Monday, American Airlines Center, Dallas.
- TV: Bally’s Sports Southwest.
- Radio: 97.1 FM The Freak; 99.1 FM Zona MX (Spanish).
X: @ESefko
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