Game Thread: Magic (28-36) @ Blazers (34-32) - 3/12 10:30 PM ET

[OrlandO]

Orlando (28-36) has won the last two in this series, though the Trail Blazers have taken three straight and five of six in Portland.

Orlando Magic
INJURY UPDATE: Vucevic (groin), Jennings (Achilles) and Payton (Elbow) are out tonight

Vucevic, the Magic's leading scorer and rebounder, will return to the starting lineup eventually. But it is unclear how long it will take for his discomfort to subside. A recent MRI showed he has a strained muscle; following team policy, Vucevic declined to provide specifics when asked how severe the strain is.

"They want me to rest it for a few days, and I'll do some stuff to strengthen that area and strengthen my core," Vucevic said. "The biggest part is really just rest and let it calm down and heal with treatment."

Nikola Vucevic is 1 of 3 NBA players (Anthony Davis, DeMarcus Cousins) to tally 250+ points and 100+ rebounds in February.

"I don't know [Mario] that well, but just from talking to him, he's a very humble kid," Peja Stojakovic said. "I hear he has a great work ethic. He's 'basketball cocky,' but that doesn't mean he's a bad guy. I like his confidence on the court."

[tweet]https://twitter.com/OrlandoMagic/status/708812727351816194[/tweet]

Portland (34-32) is not far removed from an 18-4 stretch which included a statement-making 137-105 win over league-leading Golden State on Feb. 19. That storyline has flipped quickly, though, after Friday's 128-112 loss to the Warriors marked the Trail Blazers' fourth defeat in five games and dropped them back into a congested West playoff race.

Lillard will try to regroup against a team he's never scored 20 points against. He's averaged 14.7 versus the Magic in seven career meetings, and he made just 4 of 15 shots and 2 of 9 from 3-point range for 19 points in a 102-94 loss Dec. 18.

Moe Harkless will face his former team tonight after performing a "Harkless Special" against Golden State on Friday, pouring in 2 points, 0 rebounds, 0 assists, 0 blocks and 0 steals in 21 minutes of action.

[OrlandO]

Jennings also out due to his achilles.

[KillMonger]

all these injuries got me wondering.......

[rcklsscognition]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/JohnDenton555/status/708837135751585793[/tweet]

Skiles adding the "regardless" dig because he hates Elfrid.

[ezzzp]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/JoshuaBRobbins/status/708839270601986049[/tweet]

[seeingstars]

That Moe Harkless, I bet if any of us space jammed his body we could at least come up with A stat

[OrlandO]

payton is officially out, too.

[rcklsscognition]

Let's see if the medical/rehab department can bring this tank across the finish line.

[OrlandO]

team reports jennings is out due to soreness related to his achilles... with free agency in mind, jennings desperately tries to convince media it's unrelated...

[SOUL]

Hezonja breakout game! (or Marble 35 minutes)

[tooler]

At the beginning of that Vine, I thought Moe was on his cell phone or something.

[Orlwillbeback]

omg that harkless vine lol

[904Magic]

Super convenient injuries lately

[orlando1214]

I just want the team to show up and play with energy tonight. Almost every back to back this year has been bad losses because most of the team doesn't even look like they want to be there and just goes through the motion. I would love another big game from AG, and it would be nice to see Mario have a break out game. Of course, a lot of that will be up to Skiles and if he feels like playing them a lot tonight.

[904Magic]

In a world where Skiles has rotations that make sense, Oladipo plays some minutes at PG tonight and Mario gets an expanded role at SG

In reality, that almost certainly won't happen. Long time no see, Mr. Napier!

[ORL_on_FIRE]

Let's get this W!!!!

[MagicStarwipe]

At the beginning of that Vine, I thought Moe was on his cell phone or something.

Same, but I thought it was that strippers phone.

Anyway, looks like we might be in for some Shabazz tonight.

[MagicStarwipe]

I don't know if I've heard +/- pumped up as such an important stat as much as I have when people talk about CJ Watson. But to his credit, he did play well yesterday.

[904Magic]

I don't know if I've heard +/- pumped up as such an important stat as much as I have when people talk about CJ Watson. But to his credit, he did play well yesterday.

+/- is usually nonsense, but it's important for Watson just cuz he doesn't really put up good stats but the team for whatever reason plays better when he's on the court.

[904Magic]

I wonder if Fournier would be less comically selfish on offense if it wasn't a contract year