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’s bench provides critical energy
Dec 4, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Orlando Magic center Moritz Wagner (21) drives for a shot against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher/Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
The Orlando Magic know who to turn to when they need energy.
On the second night of a back-to-back when the team looked focused but still a bit sluggish after the overnight trip from New York City to Philadelphia, the Magic needed a lift from their bench. They needed one of their big energy players to step in.
That is Moe Wagner. The guy who was clapping near Karl-Anthony Towns and giving back to the All-Star as much as he took. Towns may have made those tough shots, but Wagner was trying to give energy to a Magic team desperately needing some.
That is his role. That is what the Magic’s bench does.
One of the hallmarks of Orlando’s breakthrough season last year was the team’s depth and bench. Orlando was fourth in the league with 41.5 points per game off the bench. Moe Wagner’s career season was a big piece to that puzzle.
There were concerns that removing Markelle Fultz and Joe Ingles might upset the apple cart with the bench.
That is increasingly not the case. Orlando is fifth in the league averaging 39.4 points per game off the bench. Wagner again is posting a career-best season, averaging 12.9 points per game and 5.2 rebounds per game, both career highs.
As coach Jamahl Mosley has joked before, Wagner wakes up scoring 10 points. He is reliable for his 10-15 points every night. And sometimes he gives you more.
Wagner’s aggression and energy have been vital to the team’s success. The Magic’s bench is still a major part of the formula for the Magic – and the bench’s struggles were one of the big reasons the Magic’s game in New York got out of hand.
Wagner helped turn around the Magic’s 106-102 win against the Sixers in both of his stints. He six of his 10 points in Wednesday’s game in the first quarter, helping Orlando build a 12-point lead at the end of the quarter, a lead the team would mostly maintain throughout the game. The Magic were +13 when he was on the floor.
When Jonathan Isaac is adding a season-best 14 points, the bench can be devastating to face. It is something that helps elevate the Magic. And that should especially be the case when Franz Wagner anchors the bench units rather than Jalen Suggs.
The bench has not been as strong as it was last year. Anthony Black has been more inconsistent as a young player – when he plays well as he did with 10 points and seven assists in Wednesday’s game, the bench looks better. But the potential is still clearly there.
And as Orlando continues to formulate its path to victory, bench scoring is a big part of the puzzle.
Christmas lights are springing up, you can’t go anywhere without hearing Mariah Carey, and football players are making snow angels in the end zone. That means, somehow, the first quarter of the 2024-25 NBA season has come and gone. Let’s hand out some hardware!
Note: these aren’t forward-looking projections for the year-end choices. These are merit-based awards for the first 20-ish games that every team has played so far.
Eastern Conference MVP: Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
There isn’t a single superstar in the game as well-rounded as Tatum. His headline ability, scoring, is understated and mathematically elegant. He’s averaging 28.4 points per game by taking advantage of the most valuable areas on the floor: he’s finishing at career-best levels (74% shooting at the rim, the same number as Giannis and a smidge above Anthony Davis), launching a monstrous 10.6 three-pointers per game, and earning the second-most free throws of his NBA life.
But all the high-wattage guys can score. It’s everything else that sets Tatum apart. He’s become an elite positional passer, as we saw in last year’s NBA Finals; he eats defensive rebounds with startling voracity; he’s a mean-as-hell pick-setter:
While star forwards around the league complain about having to guard centers, Tatum is quietly defending bigs more often than ever before (20% of the time, to be exact).
His one surface-level deficiency, offensive rebounding, has more to do with schematic choices than personal flaws.
With apologies to Giannis Antetokounmpo, doing his best to bring the Bucks back to relevance, Tatum is a no-brainer choice.
Western Conference MVP: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Jokic is currently third in scoring, second in rebounding, second in assists, eighth in steals (!), and second in three-point percentage. You already know who’s on top of every advanced metric leaderboard. The Nuggets post a 129.1 offensive rating with Jokic on the floor, miles ahead of the Knicks’ league-leading 123.7; they post a 96.4 offensive rating without him, a Mariana Trench-length beneath the Wizards’ anemic 103.8.
Frankly, I’ve been writing about the NBA for a while, and despite my pharaonic vocabulary (and access to online thesauri), I’ve run out of ways to describe why and how Jokic is the MVP. When we’re talking about the league’s most videogenic player, just listing stats feels wrong, but it’s also the best way to convey his overwhelming dominance.
Not even Tatum can reach the oxygen-deprived heights that Jokic routinely (and literally!) resides in. The Nugget is the MVP of the conference and the quarter, without question.
Mike Shearer (@bballispoetry) has written about the NBA full-time since 2021 at various and sundry places. For more from Mike, check out his Substack bestseller, Basketball Poetry, where he uses unnecessary metaphors and the occasional haiku to discuss the NBA’s happenings with an analytical lens.
Home and Away
Must Read It was more than 1,000 days between games for Lonzo Ball. A look inside his grueling recovery and unprecedented return to the league. (ESPN)
Analysis Handing out early hardware for the 24-25 NBA season, including the rarely-seen “Unluckiest Team of the Quarter” award. (Basketball Poetry)
Preview The NBA has announced the Orlando Magic’s schedule for the NBA Cup Knockout Round. The Magic will face the Milwaukee Bucks in the quarterfinals. A detailed schedule is now available. (Sports Illustrated)
Preview The NBA has updated the Orlando Magic’s schedule for the NBA Cup, featuring games against the New York Knicks and Milwaukee Bucks. Updated schedule released. (Orlando Sentinel)
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Magic @ 76ers
Friday, Dec. 06 | 7:00 PM | Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia, PA) | Get Tickets
Suns @ Magic
Sunday, Dec. 08 | 6:30 PM | Kia Center (Orlando, FL) | Get Tickets
TBD @ Magic (NBA Cup: Contigent game)
Saturday, Dec. 30 | 12:00 AM | Kia Center (Orlando, FL) | Get Tickets
Replay: Fantasy Cheat Sheet
NBA Fantasy Basketball: Key Takeaways from Tuesday’s Games
Dec 3, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) falls to the ground after rolling his ankle against the San Antonio Spurs in the first half of an NBA Cup game at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas/Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Kevin Durant’s Ankle Injury: What It Means for Fantasy Managers
Kevin Durant’s recent ankle injury is a significant concern for fantasy basketball managers. Durant, who has been a cornerstone for many fantasy teams, left the game after just 16 minutes, scoring 13 points with four rebounds. This re-aggravation of a previous injury could mean time on the sidelines, impacting his availability in the coming weeks. Fantasy managers should consider potential replacements or temporary fill-ins, such as Grayson Allen or Royce O’Neal, who might see increased roles in Durant’s absence. However, neither is a must-add in standard leagues, but they could provide short-term value in deeper formats.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Charlotte Hornets: Player Performances
In the clash between the 76ers and Hornets, Paul George’s resurgence was a highlight. Despite playing 37 minutes, George’s performance—29 points, eight rebounds, and six three-pointers—showed signs of his former All-NBA self. However, with a back-to-back game on the horizon, his availability remains uncertain, making it crucial for fantasy managers to monitor his status closely.
Tyrese Maxey’s shooting struggles continued, but his ability to contribute in other areas, such as free throws and defense, keeps him relevant in fantasy lineups. Meanwhile, Kelly Oubre Jr. delivered a solid outing with 14 points and four three-pointers, making him a viable short-term option.
Charlotte Hornets’ Frontcourt Dynamics
The return of Mark Williams was a notable development, albeit with limited minutes. This situation presents a sell-high opportunity for Nick Richards, who posted an impressive 22 points and 14 rebounds. While there’s a chance Richards could outperform Williams, the Hornets’ long-term plans likely favour Williams, making Richards a potential trade candidate for savvy fantasy managers.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Magic podcasts.
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