The Orlando Magic extended their longest win streak of the season to five in one of their most impressive performances, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 128-122.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The task for Thursday night\u2019s contest is to not overlook the opponent, particularly since the Washington Wizards are the butt of jokes in the NBA at the moment after allowing Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo to score 83 points on Tuesday night.\u00a0<\/p>\n
One challenge that should help keep the Magic\u2019s attention is the inclusion of old nemesis Trae Young, who has remained in the Southeast Division after being dealt from the Atlanta Hawks to the Wizards. He\u2019s expected to play in just his third game with his new team and has averaged 14.5 points and seven assists in just 18.5 minutes over his first two against the Jazz and Pelicans.<\/p>\n
Even playing on the second night of a back-to-back, Orlando is a massive favorite as they look to continue to build entering a huge weekend that closes with an enormous road game at the Miami Heat.<\/p>\n
The Magic are even with the Miami Heat for\u00a0 the Southeast Division lead, although they would hold the tie-braker since they have defeated Miami all four times they\u2019ve played.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Orlando ranks fifth in the Eastern Conference, entering Thursday\u2019s game percentage points ahead of Miami, which is also in action. Toronto has faded following the All-Star break and has slipped into seventh, which would put them into the play-in tournament. The Raptors trail both Florida teams by a half-game.<\/p>\n
Orlando is 20-11 at home and\u00a0 22-19 against Eastern Conference foes. Washington is 5-25 on the road and 11-28 against Eastern Conference competition. The Magic are 7-5 against Southeast Division foes, while the Wizards are 2-10.<\/p>\n
Vitals – How to Watch Magic vs. Wizards<\/p>\n
Game date, time and location: Thursday, March 12, 7:10 p.m. EST, Kia Center, Orlando, Florida<\/p>\n
TV: ESPN, FanDuel Sports Network Florida (Magic), Monumental Sports Network Ohio (Wizards)<\/p>\n
Radio: FM 96.9 The Game\/AM 740 WYGM (Magic), 106.7 (Wizards)<\/p>\n
Magic look to beat Wizards for 13th time in 14 games<\/p>\n
The Orlando Magic (36-28) host the Washington Wizards (16-48) in the fourth and final matchup between these teams this season.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Magic are actually in danger of splitting the series if they were to fall at home on Thursday, having lost in D.C. 120-112 on Jan. 6. Orlando won in Washington the first time these teams played on Nov. 1 (125-94) and in the most recent meeting (126-109).\u00a0<\/p>\n
That victory came at Kia Center on March 3 and featured Paolo Banchero scoring 37 points and Desmond Bane adding 25.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Magic own an 85-61 lead on the Wizards in the all-time series, which dates back to 1989-90. The then-Washington Bullets won the first five matchups.<\/p>\n