Pregame Report from the AdventHealth Training Center
ORLANDO – In the lead up to their 2023-24 regular season campaign, the Orlando Magic emphasized the importance of being an elite defensive team, accomplishing feats by committee, and having faith in players up and down the roster to get the job done when they’re called upon.
Through the first six games of their season, the Magic have excelled in all of those areas.
Orlando possesses the league’s second-best defensive rating (103.5), has six players putting up at least 10 points per contest, and thus far, has dealt with injuries to key pieces as well as anyone could have imagined.
The Magic (4-2) will need to continue to hammer home those points of emphasis when they host the red-hot Dallas Mavericks (5-1) on Monday at 7 p.m. ET.
“One player doesn’t win or lose games. It’s about all of us,” said Magic center Goga Bitadze. “The whole team is really ready to take on that challenge.”
Paolo Banchero has taken his game to the next level over Orlando’s last two contests. After dropping a 30 piece – including the go-ahead bucket – to lead the Magic to a road win over the Utah Jazz, the reigning Rookie of the Year followed it up with a 25-point performance in a home win over the L.A. Lakers, in which he also set a new career high for assists in a game with 10.
Rookie Anthony Black and Bitadze were also instrumental in Orlando’s latest victory. Called into action due to injuries to starting point guard Markelle Fultz (left knee swelling) and center Wendell Carter Jr. (left hand; fractured third metacarpal), the duo did their fair share to contribute to the win.
Black tallied 11 points and four rebounds, while Bitadze notched 10 points and 10 boards. The first-year floor general also recorded a phenomenal positive plus-minus of 32.
"These guys are ready,” said Banchero. “You could see it every day. I mean, (shoot) I'm looking right now. Plus 32 for (Black) right here. That's crazy. Plus 32 is nuts."
The Mavs, meanwhile, boast the NBA’s second-best offensive rating (119) and they can put up points in a hurry. Dallas is making the most 3-pointers in the league (17.3) per contest, while shooting a scorching 39.7 percent beyond the arc – the second-best mark in the association.
“They shoot a lot of threes, so we have to adjust to that,” said Bitadze. “Listen to our coaches, follow the game plan, and just go out there and win the game.”
Luka Doncic has been playing at an MVP level to start the season. He’s second in the league in points per game (32.0), second in 3-pointers made per contest (4.3), and tied for fourth in assists (9.3) per outing.
“They shoot a ton of threes, they have two fantastic players in Luka and Kyrie Irving, and the guys that step in on the side are more than capable,” said Mosley. “So, we have to be alert, ready and respect our opponent.”
QUOTE TO NOTE: “We keep saying, (we’re) a bunch of dogs. Honestly, I haven’t seen guards guarding the pick-and-roll and going over the pick like they are. Guards pressuring the (opponent’s) guards. They really don’t care who is in front of them. Just pressuring everybody. That sets the tone for all of us. When you’re behind and you see that your guards are out there playing great defense, you feel motivated. … It’s all about trust. And I see a bunch of dogs here.” – Bitadze on the Magic’s defense
IN AND OUT: Jonathan Isaac (hamstring soreness) is questionable, while Carter, Fultz, Gary Harris (strained right groin) and (Kevon Harris (G League – Two-Way) are out.
Mosley said that Fultz and Gary Harris are making progress and did light work during shootaround on Monday.
Dallas’ injury report is not yet submitted. However, Maxi Kleber (right small toe; dislocation) missed the Mavericks game against the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday.
KEY STAT: Magic rookie Anthony Black made the first 10 field goal attempts of his professional career before missing a shot. That is the most field goal attempts without a miss to start a career in the NBA since 1996-97. The previous high was nine, set by Montrezl Harrell on Oct. 28-30, 2015.