Upcoming Matchup: Orlando Magic vs. Memphis Grizzlies
This Sunday at noon EST, basketball fans will witness a clash between the Orlando Magic and the Memphis Grizzlies in a non-conference showdown at the London venue. The Magic, currently sitting fifth in the Eastern Conference with a record of 23 wins and 18 losses, will find themselves 5.5-point favorites against the Grizzlies, who hold an 11th place in the Western Conference at 17 wins and 23 losses, according to lines from BetMGM Sportsbook.
Team Performance Overview
Memphis has struggled at home with a 9-11 record, allowing an average of 116.2 points per game while being edged out by 1.4 points overall. In contrast, the Magic are looking to improve their 9-11 record on the road. They have achieved a split against teams with winning records, holding an 11-11 record in those matchups.
In terms of offensive performance, the Grizzlies are shooting 45.3% from the field, which is 2.2 percentage points below the 47.5% shooting defense of the Magic. Meanwhile, Orlando boasts a slight edge in their shooting efficiency, landing at 46.7%—just above the 46.3% that opponents have scored against Memphis.
Previous Encounters
The two teams are set to meet for the second time this season, with the Magic securing a victory in the first encounter on January 15, 118-111. Star forward Paolo Banchero led Orlando in that game with 26 points, while Jaren Jackson Jr. topped Memphis with 30 points.
Top Players to Watch
- Cedric Coward (Grizzlies): Averaging 14 points and 6.6 rebounds per game.
- Jaren Jackson Jr. (Grizzlies): Contributing 21.6 points and 6.1 rebounds across the last 10 games.
- Desmond Bane (Magic): Averaging 19 points along with 4.5 assists.
- Anthony Black (Magic): Particularly effective beyond the arc, hitting 2.5 three-pointers per game in his past 10 outings.
Recent Performance Analysis
Analyzing the last performances, Memphis has faced challenges recently, showing a 3-7 record in their last ten games with an average of 114.2 points but allowing their opponents to score 116.2 points. On the other hand, Orlando boasts a healthier 6-4 record in their recent stretch, averaging 114.7 points and allowing 114.6 points.
Injury Updates
On the injury front, both teams are dealing with key player absences. For the Grizzlies, Ja Morant is day-to-day due to a calf issue, joined by other sidelined players including Scotty Pippen Jr., Zach Edey, Ty Jerome, and Brandon Clarke. The Magic’s situation includes Jalen Suggs (knee) and Jett Howard (illness) as day-to-day, while Colin Castleton remains out due to a thumb injury.
As the teams gear up for this exciting matchup, fans are sure to anticipate intense competition on Sunday afternoon.
