Philip Rossman-Reich here, the host of the daily Locked On Magic podcast, with your daily Locked On Magic newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Magic and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Orlando Magic have a lot to prove in NBA Cup finale
Mar 8, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) drives past New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) in the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports | Wendell Cruz/Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
The Orlando Magic are 15-7 and third in the Eastern Conference. They have the highest point differential in the NBA Cup and are almost assured of advancing whether they win or lose their group finale – the Magic have to lose by less than 37 points or win the game to advance as the wild card.
Even since losing their best player to a torn oblique a month ago, the Magic have stayed afloat. More than staying afloat, the Magic have thrived. Franz Wagner has emerged as a true second star in a bid for his first All-Star berth.
The Magic have won 12 of their last 13 games with two separate six-game win streaks. It has been a stunning run from the Magic.
And yet. . . it feels hollow. It feels unproven.
The Magic have one of the best defensive teams in the league. They have a clear identity. They have no reason to think they cannot compete at the league’s highest levels. They have yet to do it. More than that, they have not had the chance to do so.
Tuesday’s game against the New York Knicks has been circled on the calendar for a long time. It is not only the finale for group play in the NBA Cup – the winner of the game wins East Group A. It is not only a game on national TV – restored after the league flexed off the game following Paolo Banchero’s injury.
It is a matchup between two top teams in the Eastern Conference. It would always carry major weight for the standings at the end of the season. It is a game that will be a statement of who is ready to challenge the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers at the top of the conference.
The Magic just do not have a lot of these wins under their belt. They have beaten only two teams this season with records .500 or better – the Phoenix Suns (without Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal) and the Los Angeles Lakers.
The win over the Lakers became a statement unto itself. It was a big win against a big-market team and the moment when Franz Wagner entered the national conversation for an All-Star berth with his game-winning shot.
But it was not just this year that the Magic lacked these kinds of wins. Even last year, Orlando went 19-28 against teams with winning records, the worst mark among all teams that made the Playoffs and only better than the Chicago Bulls among postseason teams.
It is not that Orlando did not win these games, but the team did not win them enough. If critics want to say the Magic get fat by beating up on bad teams, they may have a point. Not that those wins do not count.
But for a team with title ambitions or ambitions of winning a playoff series, games like Tuesday night’s road game are the kinds of games they have to win. They have to prove themselves more consistently on this stage.
Those opportunities have been few and far between so far this season. And so Tuesday is a big stage for the Magic to prove themselves once again or perhaps for the first time.
For one of these teams, Tuesday will be a big stepping stone and proof of what they can do. The stakes for the NBA Cup may be somewhat manufactured, but the morale boost and statement they make to the rest of the league could be big as these teams sort themselves in the Eastern Conference standings.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) is helped up by center Jay Huff (30) and forward Jaylen Wells (0) during the second quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at FedExForum. | Petre Thomas/Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
In mid-November, when the Lakers beat the Grizzlies at home in L.A., it was in large part to the efforts of Dalton Knecht. The rookie was upset that a week before that game the Grizzlies very tidily (to the tune of 131-114) put the Lakers away in Memphis, but more specifically, that Ja Morant challenged LeBron James. Knecht told ESPN reporter Dave McMenamin that Morant said “he was pretty much the new king around here when Bron’s still in the league.”
This is about the Grizzlies, it is, but Knecht’s umbrage was directed at the crucial element that’s powered Memphis for so long, and what’s put them back on top after last year’s wash of a season: outsized confidence.
It’s been called disrespect, showboating, ego, but whatever the Grizzlies are being called is less important than the baseline quality of confidence the labels all spring from and the team embodies. I’ve also found these other monikers telling— like a league temperature check — depending on who is levelling them and as a result of what. In Knecht’s case, he felt it disrespectful that Morant would make such a claim but Morant’s been saying it for seasons now. What started as general agitation and prowess for his own team seasons ago, a means to get an underdog Grizzlies team fired up, worked. It also turned into something greater: Morant hasn’t replaced James yet but the weight of expectation is there, so is the pathway. The side-effect, this time, was giving a rookie like Knecht his “Welcome to the NBA” moment.
The Grizzlies are sitting third in a densely competitive Western Conference, ranked fifth overall in offence and fourth in defence, and they’ve secured these spots despite largely being without Morant, their diamond-in-the-rough of Desmond Bane, and big man Zach Edey. Jaren Jackson Jr. sits comfortably on over a dozen league leaderboards, including points per 36 minutes, field goals per 100 possessions, block percentage and defensive win shares. Scottie Pippen Jr. Is an assist machine with the kind of court vision that usually takes seasons to sharpen; Jay Huff can sharp-shoot the three and the next possession take the ball up for a reverse dunk right in front of LeBron James.
And there’s no slouch in them. All down the roster, despite the injury gaps, Memphis counts seven players who average at least and typically more than 10 points a game. Of those seven, all split their minutes, with Jackson Jr. averaging the most at 29:20 a game. The result is an early depth that not many other teams can rival...
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Preview Breaking down the NBA Cup: Here’s a primer for the final night of group-stage games. (The Athletic)
Injury Orlando Magic’s Paolo Banchero is making strides towards recovery from a torn right oblique, indicating a promising return to the court. Banchero has started his return process and is feeling good. (Sports Illustrated)
Injury Paolo Banchero’s injury update brings a mix of hope and concern as he progresses with his recovery. The team looks forward to his return amidst critical games. Banchero’s status remains a focal point for the Magic. (Orlando Sentinel)
Preview The Magic will challenge the Knicks at Madison Square Garden at 7:30 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
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NBA Cup: Magic @ Knicks
Tuesday, Dec. 03 | 7:30 PM | Madison Square Garden (New York, NY) | Get Tickets
Magic @ 76ers
Wednesday, Dec. 04 | 7:30 PM | Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia, PA) | Get Tickets
Magic @ 76ers
Friday, Dec. 06 | 7:00 PM | Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia, PA) | Get Tickets
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Dejounte Murray’s Poor Shooting Return To Atlanta
Dec 2, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (5) dribbles against the Atlanta Hawks in the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis/Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Injury Updates and Player Returns
As we navigate the NBA season, keeping an eye on player injuries and returns is crucial for fantasy basketball success. Jeremy Sochan is potentially making a comeback, and I recommend adding him in all league formats. Mark Williams is another player to watch, as he’s been upgraded to questionable. While his return isn’t guaranteed, it’s worth considering adding him to your roster. Meanwhile, Draymond Green is listed as questionable, but Steve Kerr has expressed doubts about his availability. This opens up opportunities for Jonathan Kuminga, Kevon Looney, and Trace Jackson-Davis to step up in his absence.
Waiver Wire Trends
The waiver wire is buzzing with activity, and it’s essential to stay ahead of the curve. Vasa Micic is the most added player, filling in for the injured LaMelo Ball and Tre Mann. While this isn’t a long-term solution, Micic is a solid pickup until one of them returns. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is another player to consider, especially with the Magic’s favourable schedule. He’s a great streaming option, but don’t expect consistent season-long value. Marcus Smart is also gaining traction, and his recent performances make him a worthy addition.
On the flip side, Isaiah Stewart, Moussa Diabate, and Naji Marshall are among the most dropped players. Stewart’s value is inconsistent, making him an easy drop. Diabate’s minutes are dwindling, and Marshall’s role is uncertain. Scotty Pippen Jr. and Ty Jerome have also seen significant drops, with Jerome’s value plummeting due to Caris LeVert’s return.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Magic podcasts.
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