NBA Match Preview: Orlando Magic vs. Dallas Mavericks
Meeting for the first time this season, Dallas Mavericks are visiting Orlando to take on the Magic on Tuesday night. The two teams will clash at the Magic’s home court at Amway Centre.
Trailing only the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference standings, Mavericks enjoy a win loss mark of 22-5 so far this season. Enjoying a twelve game winning streak in the beginning of the month, the Mavericks season high
run was snapped last Monday.
Mavericks hosted the Milwaukee Bucks last Monday. Leading the score by four points, the Bucks awarded a 99-103 defeat to their hosts. Although Dirk Nowitzki tried to lessen the lead by scoring two free shots and reducing the deficit
by two points, Magic’s Keyon Dooling returned the favour by scoring two free shots and bringing the deficit back to four points.
Their next match of the week came on Wednesday, when the Mavericks hosted the Portland Trail Blazers. Ensuring a five-point lead, Mavericks bounced back and sent the Blazers back home with a 98-103 defeat. Looking to get back on
their winning streak, the Mavericks hosted and defeated the Phoenix Suns last Friday. With the scoreboard showing 106-91, the Mavericks were able to register their only double figure win for the week.
Although Mavericks had their season high winning streak snapped in the week, they themselves have snapped the winning streaks of Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, New Orleans Hornets and Utah Jazz this season.
Entering this week with a two game winning streak, Mavericks extended it to three games last night when they visited and defeated the Miami Heat. Nowitzki ensured a five-point lead in the game after shooting two successful free
throws. Although Heat’s Dwyane Wade managed a three pointer at the buzzer, it still was not enough. Mavericks were able to secure for themselves a two point win over the Heat, winning the match 98-96. Nowitzki scored 26 points for the night.
Mavericks’ win over Heat last night, totalled their road score to 9-1 so far in the season. Having enjoyed a six game winning streak on the road at one point in the season, the Mavericks have a good chance of beating the Magic
tonight.
Having played only two matches last week, Magic recorded a 0-2 win loss mark for the week. Their first defeat came last Tuesday, when they visited Denver to play the Nuggets. With the scoreboard showing 94-111, Magic lost to the
Nuggets by seventeen points.
Their second match of the week came last Saturday, when Magic hosted the Philadelphia 76ers. The 76ers awarded an eight-point defeat to the Magic denying them a chance to salvage last week.
Magic’s latest defeat came last night when they visited Atlanta to play the Hawks. Magic’s road slide increased to two games, as they lost 81-91 to the Hawks. First match after the weekend’s trade, Gilbert Arenas, Jason Richardson
and Hedo Turkoglu made their debut with Magic last night. However, Arenas struggled in his debut missing nine of his eleven shots.
Standing at a win loss mark of 9-4 at home, Magic may have a chance of beating Mavericks tonight capitalizing on the home court advantage. Given Mavericks’ impressive 9-1 on the road, one thing for sure is the fact that tonight
is going to be a tough and exciting match. However, who will take the lead in the season head to head, remains to be seen.
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