Mavs vs. Magic: 5 Questions Ahead of Luka Doncic’s Matchup with Paolo Banchero
Ahead of Monday night’s matchup between the Dallas Mavericks and Orlando Magic, DallasBasketball.com caught up with TheMagicInsider.com’s Editor-In-Chief Jeremy Brener to ask five burning questions as Luka Doncic and company attempt to bounce back into the win column.
Coming off a weekend where he put up a 73-point game and became the first player in NBA history to average a 50-point triple-double in a two-game span, Doncic will face a physical challenge against 6-10 Magic forward Paolo Banchero. However, the Mavs are playing on “Seats For Soldiers” night, where they’re 13-2 all-time, and the Magic are playing on a second night of a back-to-back, so we like Dallas’ chances.
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
1. After starting out hot this season with a 16-7 record in mid-December, Orlando has cooled off significantly, going 8-15 since. What have been the biggest reasons for the drop-off?
A lot of it has to do with injuries. Franz Wagner went down with an ankle sprain in early January, and that’s significantly stunted Orlando’s growth. However, the team is starting to pick up the pieces with him back in the lineup. Also, the schedule has gotten more difficult. The team has been on the road a lot and played a lot of contenders, something they didn’t necessarily face in the early part of the season.
2. Last time Dallas and Orlando met, there was a 30-point swing, as the Mavs came back from down 15 to win by 15. Do you think that will be on the minds of Magic players and coaches going into this one?
The Magic take things one game at a time, so I really don’t think November’s matchup holds much weight. Plus, the team has Wendell Carter Jr., Jonathan Isaac and potentially Markelle Fultz back in the lineup. None of those three played in the first meeting and the trio makes a massive difference, especially on the defensive end.
3. What’s one thing people should know about the Magic that they can’t find in a box score?
Defense doesn’t always show up in the box score, and that’s reflected in guys like rookie Anthony Black, who’s put together a solid season going somewhat under the radar. He’s got a lot of length for a guard and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him guard Luka Doncic at some points tonight.
4. What's a matchup that you are looking forward to seeing?
I’m excited to see how Jalen Suggs defends Luka Doncic. The Magic will likely throw multiple defenders on Doncic throughout the night, but Suggs should be the primary defender, especially with Kyrie Irving out. If Suggs can force Doncic into some tough twos, it can open up the Magic’s game and create a recipe for an Orlando win.
5. What's your prediction for tonight's game?
The Magic are really bad on back-to-backs and they haven’t played as well on the road than they have at home. If the Magic can pull out a win tonight, it would be one of their best of the season. However, I think the Mavs come out hungry after last night’s loss and pull out a 114-105 win.
