Nets vs. Magic: 3 Big Things to Watch

Fresh off of a win against the New York Knicks, the Orlando Magic will face the Brooklyn Nets tonight in search of another victory.

The Orlando Magic have won two consecutive games and look to carry the momentum into their matchup against the Brooklyn Nets at the Amway Center tonight.

The Magic are 18-19 in Orlando and virtually a coin flip to defend home court. Meanwhile, the Nets are reeling after losing five-straight games, but are hanging on to a 20-18 road record.

With or without Franz Wagner -- who is a gametime decision with an ankle injury -- Orlando will have to look for ways to score against a lengthy Nets team that can switch at every position.

Here are three big things to watch for in this one:

Can Orlando Hold Mikal Bridges?

Since his trade from the Phoenix Suns to the Nets at the trade deadline, Bridges has put up superstar-caliber statistics while keeping Brooklyn in legitimate playoff contention.

The Villanova product has widened his offensive arsenal. Not only does he shoot at 39.8 percent from distance, he has become comfortable at slicing into the lane, going to his floater and hitting fall-away jump-shots off the dribble. 

Paolo Banchero will face a real test in trying to slow down one of the NBA's leading candidates for Most Improved Player of the Year. Thankfully, the Magic are youthful and agile enough to switch onto Bridges at every turn, but coach Jamahl Mosley will need to game plan against the rising star to make him uncomfortable.

Backup Center Battle

Once the starting center, Bol Bol has found himself battling for time with newcomer Goga Bitadze. Bol racked up a DNP in his last outing against the Knicks while Bitadze has slowly been eating into his residual playing time.

Bol possesses immense talent as a 7-2 big that can put the ball on the floor, run on the break and shoot from the three-point line. A matchup against defensive stalwart Nic Claxton and a Nets reserve unit that plays center by committee will figure to test both Bol and Bitadze on what their respective skill sets bring to the table.

Bol was traded for after slipping in the Denver Nuggets rotation. He can only mature if he receives more time to gain experience.

Win the Rebounding Battle, Limit Transition Opportunities

In the last five games around the league, the Nets are one of only four teams scoring less than 10 fast break points. They are also No. 19 with 42.2 rebounds per game. Both factor into their 0-5 record in that span.

Allowing an abundance of defensive rebounds will lead to leak-outs as well as Spencer Dinwiddie pushing the ball up the floor. Both results will translate to more transition opportunities and an open highway for fast-break points. 

Coach Mosley and his staff will be sure to pick this up in preparation for tomorrow's game and look to make the boards and the break one-sided affairs en route to a hopeful win.

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