NBA Matchups: February 2

Orlando Magic (back end) at Indiana Pacers

Team Totals: Magic 111.5, Pacers 115

Injury Report: Goga Bitadze (O, foot), Oshae Brissett (O, ankle)

Magic projected starters: Cole Anthony, Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner, Wendell Carter Jr., Mo Bamba

Pacers projected starters: Caris LeVert, Chris Duarte, Justin Holiday, Torrey Craig, Isaiah Jackson

Mosley quotes: Said Chuma and Franz did a great job on guarding Luka Doncic, said they’re trying to change their coverages a bit so the guards can stay on perimeter guys and not have the big on the ball.

Carlisle quotes: Said it was great to see so many young guys use their opportunities, said Isaiah Jackson not fouling was big, said Terry Taylor was great in his role as the C2, said Isaiah Jackson learning to not fall for pump fakes was big, said Jackson protecting the rim and being a threat on lobs has been something the team has been missing.

Stats and Notes: 

*The Magic have suddenly turned their defense around with a top-10 ranking in January. They’re one of the hardest teams for bigs with their No. 1 ranking on putback points per miss allowed, and they’ve fixed their transition defense after routinely being near the bottom for the first two months of the season. On the other hand, the Pacers continue to get lit up on the defensive end, ranking 26th in transition points+ per possession, 29th overall, and 26th in halfcourt defense. Orlando should be able to put up some points here.

*Basically every Orlando player gets a really good matchup here. Jalen Suggs in particular gets a plus matchup as he likely sees a decent amount of Caris LeVert. Suggs will have a big chance at scoring around the basket in this matchup, and he’s showing some signs of life there the last couple weeks. All things equal, I’d still prefer Cole Anthony on a bigger game given his stronger role.

*This is a massive spot for Mo Bamba. Isaiah Jackson is coming off his best game ever, but Bamba’s floor spacing should create a ton of open looks. Plus, he’ll have a slew of shot-blocking chances in this spot.

*This is a terrible matchup for Isaiah Jackson. The Magic are one of the best teams in the league at neutralizing rim-running bigs, and can Jackson avoid foul trouble again? Of course, if he’s mispriced again, he’s certainly a very strong play. If the sites did make him close to $5.5Kish, he could be fadeable.

*This should be a great matchup for Caris LeVert. Yeah, the Magic have been very solid at limiting alpha-like players, but LeVert’s role should be massive here. We have a 240-minute sample of LeVert without Brogdon and Sabonis, and LeVert has a per-36 line of 23/6/8. He’s run into some tough matchups lately since everyone went down (Coffey/Mann, Dorian Finney-Smith, Lu Dort, Rozier), so this is one of his better matchups he’s seen in a while. He could explode here.

Washington Wizards (back end) at Philadelphia 76ers