Magic vs. Hornets: 3 Big Things to Watch

The Orlando Magic (26-37) concludes its quick three-game road trip with a matchup against the Charlotte Hornets (20-44).

ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic look to finish off its three-game road trip on a high note with a test against the Charlotte Hornets. 

Both teams come off Wednesday night losses, with Orlando falling to the Milwaukee Bucks, and the Hornets dropping a home matchup to the Phoenix Suns. 

Here are three things to watch in this Eastern Conference battle...

LaMelo Out For The Year

Hornets' guard LaMelo Ball was officially ruled out for the rest of the season after receiving surgery to repair a fracture in his right ankle.

The third-year guard battled multiple different sprains to the same ankle for the majority of the year, limiting the 21-year-old to just 36 games. 

Losing Ball will be a huge blow to Charlotte's offensive production, who was averaging 23.3 points, 8.4 assists and 6.4 rebounds in over 35 minutes per game. 

Cole Cooking off the Bench 

Orlando's leading scorer in Wednesday's loss came off the bench, with Cole Anthony torching the Bucks for 28 points on 10 of 16 shooting from the field. 

The Magic's bench spark for most of the season, Anthony has found multiple ways to contribute on top of scoring the basketball. 

Ranking fifth on the team in points (12.1), fourth in rebounding (4.6) and second in assists (4.1), the 22-year-old guard will look to continue to lead the second unit just as he had in his 43 appearances this season. 

When Will J.I. Return?

Sidelined for the past three games with a hamstring and adductor strain, tonight will mark four straight absences for Magic forward Jonathan Isaac.

After missing the past two and a half years with knee injuries, it is clear Orlando is being extra cautious getting the versatile forward back to full strength. 

In 11 games this year, Isaac has averaged 5.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 11.3 minutes per contest. 

Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. 

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You can follow Riley Sheppard on Twitter @RileyDSheppard.

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