Pregame Report from AdventHealth Training Center
ORLANDO – “The results will come.”
That’s the message Markelle Fultz and the Orlando Magic are preaching amidst the team’s current nine-game losing streak. Their belief is that by continuing to focus on the minute details – learning from mistakes, bringing high-energy night in and night out, and honing-in on the game plan – the results will eventually take care of themselves.
There’s no doubt that the Magic will need to bring forth one of their best efforts of the season if they hope to earn a victory and snap their losing streak against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET at Amway Center.
While the Clippers record of 14-11 can be slightly deceiving, make no mistake, when they’re fully loaded, they’re one of the best teams in the league.
This season, when two-time NBA champion Kawhi Leonard is in their lineup, L.A. is 5-1. In games he starts – as he’s expected to do against Orlando – the Clippers are a perfect 4-0.
The 6-foot-7 forward’s value was on full display against the Charlotte Hornets on Monday as he made his return from a six-game absence due to a sprained right ankle. With the matchup on the line, Leonard drilled a game-winning step-back jumper with 1.4 seconds left to give the Clippers a 119-117 victory over the Hornets. Paul George, who missed the prior seven contests due to a hamstring strain, posted 19 points and seven assists.
“It was huge,” said Clippers Head Coach Ty Lue of the shot. “A great momentum builder for him going forward. Just happy to see those guys back on the floor. I thought PG did a great job, especially in that first half of scoring the basketball, distributing the ball, (and) getting guys easy shots. He had seven assists with no turnovers in the first half. Then, having thirty-one assists (as a team) with those guys on the floor, it’s going to cause teams who double team, teams who do things they’re not used to doing, (to give us) open shots.”
Orlando was fortunate enough to have some of that elusive practice time on Tuesday in advance of its matchup with Los Angeles. Due to the schedule and travel, the Magic have not had many opportunities to step on the practice floor at the AdventHealth Training Center and work on sets with their own returning players such as Fultz and Cole Anthony.
“To be able to have all the guys out here that are able to play on the court at one time, it feels great,” said Magic Head Coach Jamahl Mosley. “These guys feel that type of energy.”
Fultz is coming off his best performance of the season since making his return four games ago. The 6-foot-4 point guard tallied 20 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals against the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday and his squad was a plus-eight when he was on the floor.
“We just have to continue to build,” said the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. “Continue to believe and believe in the process. The results will come. As long as you continue to come in every day, work as hard as you can, (and) continue to try to learn from your mistakes, the results will come. That’s what we’re all preaching right now. Not getting down on ourselves but still coming in with the right mindset, happy, pushing each other to work, and believing in the process.”
IN AND OUT: Mo Bamba is expected to return to the lineup after missing the prior five games with back spasms. Meanwhile, Wendell Carter Jr. (right plantar fascia; strain), Gary Harris (right hamstring strain), Jonathan Isaac (left knee injury recovery), Chuma Okeke (left knee soreness), and Jalen Suggs (right ankle soreness) remain out.
For Los Angeles, Moussa Diabate (G League – Two-Way), Luke Kennard (right calf injury management), Marcus Morris Sr. (illness), Norman Powell (left groin strain), Jason Preston (G League – On Assignment), and John Wall (left knee injury management) are out.
QUOTES TO NOTE: On Tuesday, the Magic assigned Isaac to practice with the Lakeland Magic – the organization’s G League affiliate – as the 6-foot-10, 230-pound forward takes the next step in his rehab process.
“I feel pretty great. Today was a big day for me as you guys know. I got to get up and down and play five-on-five with the G League guys and it was great. It couldn’t have been any better outside of wanting to make every shot. But it felt good. I felt good running up and down and banging. It’s my first time doing it, so I’m in a real good place.” – Isaac
“I think it was great for him. It’s a great step in the right direction towards his continued rehab. It’s just exciting to see him on the floor.” – Mosley on Isaac
“Super excited. When I found out the news, I sent him a text just wishing him the best and hoping everything goes well. I’m pretty sure that he had an unbelievable day. But again, I’m just happy for that guy because I know the amount of work that he’s put in and how tough it’s been through this process. So, as he’s getting a step closer to playing or those next steps as far as whatever it takes, I’m just rooting for him and I’m happy to see it again. Especially as somebody who’s been through something that he’s been through and just seeing the work that he’s put in, I’m just super happy for him.” – Fultz on Isaac
ROOKIE WATCH: Magic forward Paolo Banchero, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, is doing a periodic diary with the Associated Press this season to chronicle his first year in the NBA. Here's an excerpt from his second installment, the first since the regular season started:
"Before the season, I was definitely one of the guys who would say, ‘This is going to happen this season, we can do this and we can do that.’ And then you look up and we’re 5-20. For me, it’s just a reality check. You can’t just come into this league and just get wins and have success. You got to work for it. It’s going to take multiple years.
We know it’s not going to happen in a week. It’s not going to happen in two weeks. It’s not going to happen with one player or one adjustment. This could take one year, two years, three years. It’s not just an overnight success. We have a working mindset and just knowing that we’re at the bottom right now, there’s nowhere to go but up. So, we’ll take the small victories, whether that’s one win, whether that’s a good quarter or a good half, and then just move on to the next thing and try and just pile those up and let it continue to grow." Read More
HOW TO WATCH: Watch the game on Bally Sports Florida or tune in on radio via FM 96.9 The Game.