Dallas Mavericks vs Orlando Magic Prediction: The Mavs most likely to win

The NBA scene is on and we have been blessed with another enthralling season as the scoring has been sky-high to begin the proceedings. Anyway, it also means that multiple scorers’ averages are exceeding 30 but I am sure it will come down by the end of the season. But will it come down for Luka Doncic, whose Dallas Mavericks will take on the Orlando Magic here.

The Mavs come into this game after a disappointing loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder as they lost 111:117 despite a 31 points outing by leader Luka Doncic. This was their third losses in five matches against a team that is less loaded than them. They have now engaged in two Overtime battles and four of their five games have come down to the final minutes. The Mavs have been unable to build big leads and that is why they have suffered a lot.

Seems like they are indeed missing Jalen Brunson and that despite having depth after the acquisition of Christian Wood, their rotations have been unsettled. Doncic has scored 30+ in each of the games thus far while Spencer Dinwiddie has shot at a high clip. However, the bench play remains inconsistent and with Tim Hardaway still working back in game shape, they need more out of Maxi Kleber, who shot just one of eight in the last game. Christian Wood has done his job but the starting defense-oriented Forward duo of Reggie Bullock and Dorian Finney-Smith need to do more offensively.

The Magic come into this game after defeating the Charlotte Hornets 113:93 in what was their first win of the season. They lost five games in a row to begin the season which is to be expected through the course of the season. The team is hit with a bunch of injuries and their backcourt is slim at this point. Their leading guard Cole Anthony, prospect Jalen Suggs and Markelle Fultz are all out and the team has now got to depend upon iso guard Terrance Ross, so the rotation is all over the place in a Forward dominated lineup.

Number one pick Paolo Banchero has lived up to the hype, scoring 20 or more in each game and shooting 46.5%. Sophomore Franz Wagner has continued his all-around ways whereas Center Wendell Carter Jr. continues to pin down boards and finish inside well while playing top defense. Bol Bol has earned minutes because of his impressive driving game. Mo Bamba’s minutes have gone down because of Paolo’s arrival and Bol’s elevated play. The Guard rotations only have Terrence Ross and RJ Hampton and the latter hasn’t shot well.

• Magic: OUT: Moritz Wagner, Jalen Suggs, Cole Anthony, Markelle Fultz, Jonathan Isaac, Gary Harris;
• Mavericks: OUT: Davis Bertans, Frank Ntilikina.

• Likely 25+ Points Candidates: Luka Doncic, Paolo Banchero;
• Likely 10+ Rebounds Candidates: Wendell Carter Jr., Luka Doncic;
• Likely 8+ Assists Candidate: Luka Doncic

The Mavs will look to bounce back from a disappointing loss to the Thunder. The Magic has a lot of length and the bulk of their rotation contain bigs that can play the top game on both ends. The trouble for the Mavs has been sustaining their A-Game for longer stretches and strangely, they are unable to get big separations. The loss against the Thunder highlight that weakness in a big way.

I believe despite playing a back-to-back affair, the Mavs bench will respond better here and pull through against the depleted Magic. I see the Magic doing a great job on the defensive and keeping it close but losing the way by the end of the game. I see a Mavs win here and the points range in 215-225.