Orlando Magic vs Brooklyn Nets Picks and Predictions December 29th 2024

Scuffling Magic Seek Better Outcome, Season Sweep of Nets

The Orlando Magic will aim to snap out of their offensive struggles and complete a season sweep when they host the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday afternoon. While the Magic have shown dominance in their first three matchups with Brooklyn, they are currently navigating a slump caused in part by the absence of Franz Wagner.

Magic’s Strong Start Against the Nets

Orlando won the first three meetings with Brooklyn by a combined 46 points. Wagner was instrumental in those victories, scoring 78 points across the contests, including two standout 29-point performances in a 15-point win on Oct. 25 and a 23-point victory on Nov. 29.

Those wins were part of a red-hot stretch for Orlando, where they claimed 12 victories in 13 games. However, the Magic have since gone 4-7, struggling significantly in the eight games since Wagner sustained a right oblique tear on Dec. 6.

Offensive Struggles Without Wagner

In Wagner’s absence, Orlando’s offense has sputtered, averaging just 102 points per game. While they managed impressive comeback wins over the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics, their scoring output has dropped below 100 in their past four losses, including a pair of sub-90-point performances.

The offensive woes were on full display in back-to-back losses this week. On Thursday, the Magic squandered a 17-point lead in an 89-88 loss to the Miami Heat. A day later, they were overwhelmed after halftime in a 108-85 defeat to the New York Knicks, tying their most lopsided loss of the season.

Orlando shot just 36.8 percent against the Knicks, their worst shooting performance since Wagner’s injury. Additionally, turnovers have plagued the Magic, as they’ve given up 49 points off 40 turnovers in the past two games.

“Turnovers,” coach Jamahl Mosley said when addressing the team’s struggles. “We were getting the stops that we needed, but we’d come and couldn’t convert on the other end because of just careless turnovers.”

Jalen Suggs has been a bright spot, scoring 27 points against the Knicks and averaging 21.1 points over his past seven games. However, the rest of the starters shot a combined 12-for-34 in Friday’s loss, highlighting the team’s need for better offensive balance.

Nets’ Inconsistent Play Amid Lineup Changes

The Nets, meanwhile, have been inconsistent, going 3-9 in their past 12 games. Injuries and lineup changes continue to disrupt Brooklyn, which used its 16th different starting lineup in Friday’s 96-87 loss to the San Antonio Spurs.

Without Cameron Johnson, who sat out as a precaution due to a bruised hip, the Nets managed their lowest scoring total of the season. Johnson had been in strong form, averaging 23.4 points over his past nine games, including a 29-point performance against the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday.

Keon Johnson led the Nets with 25 points on Friday, while Shake Milton added 16 points and 12 assists. However, Brooklyn shot just 38.9 percent from the floor, their second-worst shooting performance of the season.

Brooklyn coach Jordi Fernandez acknowledged the team’s struggles. “Our ball pressure … was not as good as yesterday, and that’s what we needed at the end, is to create more turnovers and do it one way or another, and we couldn’t,” Fernandez said.

The Nets are hopeful to have both Simmons, who rested on Friday, and Cameron Johnson back in the lineup for Sunday’s game.

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Matchup Outlook

The Magic will look to rely on their defense to compensate for their offensive struggles, especially given the high turnover rate of both teams. Suggs’ scoring consistency and the return to home court could provide a much-needed boost for Orlando as they seek a season sweep.

For the Nets, reinforcements in the form of Cameron Johnson and Ben Simmons could help stabilize the team, particularly as they look to improve offensive efficiency. Keon Johnson and Shake Milton will aim to build on their strong individual performances.