Orlando Magic vs. Los Angeles Clippers Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 20th 2024
Preview and Prediction
The recent success of the Orlando Magic has also been reflected in their performance on the road, as their current six-game winning streak will face a significant challenge against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday in Inglewood, California.
Following five consecutive wins at home, the Magic hit the road on Monday and secured a 109-99 victory over the Phoenix Suns, with Franz Wagner matching his season high of 32 points and Anthony Black contributing 20 points. Together, they also recorded 17 assists.
After enduring a five-game losing streak on their previous road trip that began on Halloween, Orlando has managed to break free from that dismal slide, even with star player Paolo Banchero still sidelined due to an oblique injury.
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The Magic have been relying on their strong defense, with all six victories in their current winning streak coming as they held their opponents to under 100 points.
"That's our team's identity, and we always prioritize defense in the locker room," Black stated. "Our guards have been putting pressure on the ball, while our bigs and wings have been doing a great job in the paint, helping us protect the rim and clean up our mistakes."
Their success has not gone unnoticed, with Wagner being named the most recent Eastern Conference Player of the Week. The fourth-year player is currently averaging a career-high 22.9 points per game this season, and has been even more impressive during the winning streak, averaging 29.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 6.3 assists.
Wednesday's game against the Clippers is the first of a back-to-back in the Los Angeles area, with a matchup against the Lakers on Thursday before returning home to face the Detroit Pistons on Saturday.
The Clippers also take pride in their defense and have utilized it to secure a five-game winning streak at home, most recently with a 102-99 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Monday. Despite the Warriors' attempts at a comeback, Los Angeles managed to maintain their lead and secure the win.
Norman Powell led the Clippers with 23 points, despite dealing with hamstring discomfort that developed in the first quarter. James Harden also contributed 12 points and 16 assists, while playing through an illness, and Ivica Zubac grabbed 17 rebounds.
"It's great to come back home and find our rhythm again," Harden said, referring to their consecutive victories following a winless road trip. "Holding a team like that, who has been playing well, to under 100 points, hopefully we can build on that and continue our success."
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After losing their first four games in their new arena, the Clippers have found a winning formula without star player Kawhi Leonard, who has yet to play this season due to a knee injury.
"We need to keep our composure and play the game the right way," Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue emphasized. "We need to execute our next actions and not get caught up in dribbling too much."
Powell currently leads the team in scoring with an average of 23.3 points per game, while Zubac dominates the boards with 12.4 rebounds per game. Harden has also been a key contributor at the point guard position, averaging 20.1 points and 9.0 assists per game.
Orlando Magic vs. Los Angeles Clippers Recap OCT 31TH 2023
Paul George overcame a poor start to record 27 points, seven rebounds and seven assists and help the Los Angeles Clippers post a 118-102 victory over the visiting Orlando Magic on Tuesday night.
Russell Westbrook contributed 18 points, seven assists, six rebounds and five steals and Bones Hyland and Norman Powell added 17 points apiece for Los Angeles. Kawhi Leonard scored just eight points on 3-of-11 shooting.
Paolo Banchero notched 15 points and four steals, Franz Wagner added 14 points and eight rebounds and Moritz Wagner had 13 points for Orlando, which lost its second straight game. Markelle Fultz had 12 points, Jalen Suggs added 11 and Cole Anthony scored 10.
George missed all six of his first-quarter shots and was 2-for-10 before halftime. However, he made four 3-pointers and scored 14 points in the third quarter as Los Angeles gained control. Westbrook scored 16 points in a period that saw the Clippers outscore the Magic 41-21.
The Clippers won their second straight game one night after agreeing to acquire James Harden from the Philadelphia 76ers in a reported seven-player deal that also involves draft picks. The trade still needs approval from the league office.
Harden was in attendance at the game.
Los Angeles shot 49.4 percent from the field -- including a sizzling 65.9 percent in the second half. The Clippers were 14 of 31 (45.2 percent) from 3-point range.
Orlando hit 46.9 percent of its field-goal attempts but struggled to 7-of-30 shooting (23.3 percent) from behind the arc.
After a poor shooting first half at 33.3 percent, the Clippers exploded with 17-of-23 shooting (73.9 percent) in the third quarter.
Los Angeles moved ahead for good on George's basket with 6:43 to go in the third. That started a 10-0 run that George culminated with back-to-back treys as the Clippers took a 69-59 lead with 5:23 remaining.
Westbrook later made four straight Los Angeles baskets to move the advantage to 76-62. Los Angeles led 88-71 entering the final stanza.
Leonard's layup pushed the lead to 20 at 99-79 with 7:01 left, and the Clippers cruised to the finish.
The Magic led 50-47 at the break.
George, Westbrook (1-for-7) and Leonard (0-for-6) shot a combined 3-for-23 in the half. The Clippers missed their first 11 shots of the game.