Portland Trail Blazers Aim to Extend Magic’s Slump
Portland, riding a two-game winning streak, seeks to capitalize on Orlando’s recent struggles.
The Portland Trail Blazers will look to extend the host Orlando Magic‘s current slump when the two teams meet on Thursday.
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Trail Blazers Finding Their Rhythm
Portland enters the game on the heels of a 116-107 victory over the Miami Heat, the second win in a row for the team.1
“I feel we’re in a good place,” said Deandre Ayton following Tuesday’s win. “Everybody’s just unleashed this thing called togetherness. We’re just out there for each other now. We’re playing for each other, and that energy’s something else.”
Ayton has been a key contributor to the team’s recent success, recording double-doubles in both of their last two wins.
Magic Struggling to Find Offense
Orlando, meanwhile, is in the midst of a four-game losing streak and has lost six of their last seven games.
“As a team, we’ve dealt with a lot of adversity over the years, so it’s not something we aren’t used to,” said Paolo Banchero. “We always find a way to make out … even though it looks pretty bad right now.”
The absence of key players like Franz Wagner due to injury has significantly impacted the team’s offensive output. Orlando is currently the NBA’s lowest-scoring team, averaging just 103.9 points per game.
Banchero Leading the Charge
Paolo Banchero, the 2022-23 Rookie of the Year, has been a bright spot for the Magic since his return from injury. He’s scored at least 20 points in five of his six games back and is averaging 25.3 points per game.
Looking Ahead
Orlando will be looking to remain in the Eastern Conference playoff hunt while dealing with a depleted roster.
Portland, on the other hand, will be looking to build on their recent momentum and secure a third consecutive win.
Anfernee Simons will be a key player to watch for the Trail Blazers after a strong performance in their last game.