Free Daily NCAAB Lock Pick, Thursday January 25th: Arizona vs Oregon State 11:00pm ET
CLICK TO SEE PICK NOW
Friday nights tend to be busy in the NBA, and at 8:00 p.m. EDT, things shouldn't be any different. In FedExForum, the Orlando Magic (23-21; 28-16-0 ATS) will face the Memphis Grizzlies (17-27; 19-25-0 ATS) for the first time this season. Memphis has a four-game winning streak against the Magic after sweeping the past two season's series. Will they keep the streak alive, or is Orlando destined to get revenge?
Nobody does it better when it comes to NBA Picks!
Orlando is 2-6 in their last eight, slipping to eighth place in the Eastern Conference. Injuries have not helped, particularly to Markelle Fultz (questionable) and Gary Harris (out). Regardless, scoring has been an issue for the Magic throughout that eight-game stretch, as the team hasn't reached 110 points once. Win or lose, Orlando is averaging 110.4 points per game during this slide. An offensive rating that has fallen to 24th remains the Magic's greatest flaw. The team is 26th in turnover percentage and 22nd in true shooting percentage per NBA.com. Orlando is the least efficient three-point shooting team and midrange shooting club. Although the Magic attempt the highest percentage of shots at the rim, they're mediocre when it comes to successfully finishing them. Strong offensive rebounding and the third-most free throw attempts per game help Orlando score, but hasn't been enough to win lately.
Meanwhile, the Magic are monsters on the other end, ranking sixth in defensive rating. They're seventh in defensive rebounding percentage and force the third-most turnovers per game. Orlando also allows the sixth-fewest three-point attempts per game and the 10th-lowest three-point percentage. The Magic are solid at forcing misses from the other areas of the floor too. Their tendency to send foes to the free throw line is troubling, but there's a lot to like about Orlando's defense.