The Orlando Magic play host to the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night from the Amway Center in a crucial Eastern Conference showdown. The Magic could put together one final run toward the playoffs but with their recent struggles, they appear to be playing the role of spoiler. For the Wizards, they only sit 1.5 games out of the last playoff spot and know that they have to take advantage of games like this one to find their way into the postseason. The Wizards have swept a pair of meetings this season and it appears like they could make it a trio of wins after this one.
It has been an up-and-down season for the Wizards this season and with the season winding down, it's clear that they'll at least have a shot at the final playoff spot. They sit in 12th place heading into this mid-week tilt, while they are trying to keep pace with the Pacers, Bulls, Raptors, and Hawks ahead of them. They come into this one struggling to finish out games and with back-to-back losses and one win in their last six games, this team knows that they need to find a way to change their momentum. A game against the Magic, who they've already beaten twice this season, could be just the trick towards getting back on the winning path. They have a 16-21 record in road games this season but with what seems like a talent disparity in this one, they'll be disappointed to not come away with the road win.
It doesn't help matters that the Wizards have a pair of impactful injuries that they continue to navigate. Kyle Kuzma (ankle) has been ruled out for Tuesday, while Kristaps Porzingis (illness) is at least trending toward being probable for this one. Without Kuzma though, Washington's scoring could struggle to get going early.
33 points for no. 33 tonight ?? pic.twitter.com/CZ05nlZJGz
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) March 19, 2023
As mentioned earlier, Washington's scoring is expected to take a step back with Kuzma out, though they still rank eighth in field-goal percentage, which is an impressive number. They also rank in the top half of the league in rebounding but with the size of the Magic in the frontcourt, that should be neutralized in this rematch. Defensively, they'll have a leg up across most aspects but especially when it comes to slowing down the Magic from three-point range. Add that to Bradley Beal (23.3 ppg) still possessing some scoring and this remains a matchup that coul fall right in line for this group.
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