Game 27: Orlando Magic (11-15) @ Los Angeles Clippers (18-7) 12/14 7:00PM ET

[FRESHsince1983]

The Clippers have won just four of their past nine games, facing injuries and the usual bumps of an 82-game season as they prepare to visit the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night.

The Magic entered last week with the third best defense in the league by defensive rating. This came as they won three of the first four games in a five-game road trip.

The defense slipped last week, though. Orlando played four games in five nights to complete an eight-games-in-12-days stretch and struggled defensively. The Magic fell to 12th in the league in a matter of a week, giving up 100 points in all four games. It was the first time they had allowed 100 points in consecutive games since mid-November.

The Magic did not quite get their defense under control and back to an elite level in a 131-120 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday. But, with just a three-point lead entering the fourth quarter, the Magic allowed just 24 points in the final 12 minutes to get some breathing room and protect their lead.

For them, it will take more than a quarter of strong defense to hold off the star-powered Clippers as the Magic still seek some consistency and return to form.


Projected Starters
Orlando Magic
D.J. Augustin
Evan Fournier
Aaron Gordon
Serge Ibaka
Bismack Biyombo

Los Angeles Clippers
Chris Paul
J.J. Redick
Luc Mbah a Moute
Blake Griffin
DeAndre Jordan

Injuries

LA Clippers

Austin Rivers, PG Out
Luc Mbah a Moute, PF Out

Orlando Magic

Nikola Vucevic, C Out


Sorry for the quick put together and no graphics.....I don't do this often but didn't see one don't with less than an hour before tip. Lets GO!

[Mc-o]

I have a good feeling about this game! Lets go magic.

[Magic_Johnny12]

Austin Rivers WILL be playing and starting in place of Moute

[FRESHsince1983]

I personally would like to see more of the small ball tonight when possible. I'm also starting to grow very fond of our bench. I hope that Mario is watching how Jodie plays and is taking notes. Thats what he needs to do to work himself back into the rotation. We need this win!

[Mc-o]

any word on VOOCH ? or is he really gone ? lol

[Def Swami]

Austin Rivers WILL be playing and starting in place of Moute

Get Gordon on the block and let him cook.

[FRESHsince1983]

Austin Rivers WILL be playing and starting in place of Moute

My bad on that one man but thank you for the update. I should've caught that....forgot which site I copied that from. He is starting.

I'm also very excited about the Lakeland move for our D League team. Any word on a new name for the team or if we are keeping the BayHawks name?

[Gomagic44]

Let's get this!


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

[OrlDave]

So do we get some days off after this game? This stretch has been brutal.

[Howard Mass]

This has been a brutal stretch. Hopefully, the new CBA clears up some of this clutter as expected.

Anyway, Let's Go Magic!

[rusoopE]

Jodie Meeks for the win at the last second!

[Nemesis21]

Good thread! Go Magic!

[Ducklett]

Wow... Elf one of only 4 players ever to come off the bench with 26+ points and 14+ assists... AI was one of the other ones.

[BCS]

I'm in the belief that we always play well and compete against the better teams (excluding Cavs and Warriors). Today's game is a test because we have been sucking at home as well, so one of those has to go, do we suck at home or do we suck against the lesser oppostion lol.

[davey_wavy]

Jodie Meeks is our new Jason Richardson

[MagicStarwipe]

Wow we got AG guarding JJ.

[OrlDave]

Nice pass Serge.

[OrlandO]

Ducler must have crashed.

[OrlDave]

Beauty AG.

[Magic#1]

AG in attack mode is a good thing.