Brooklyn Nets vs Orlando Magic 3/15/22: Starting Lineups, Matchup Preview, Betting Odds, Live Stream
Contents
Brooklyn Nets vs Orlando Magic Matchup Preview (3/15/22)
Kevin Durant and Brooklyn Nets (35-33) travel to Florida where they will battle the Orlando Magic (18-51) Tuesday night. The Nets are 3-2 since Durant returned from injury with the 5th Offensive Rating and 10th Defensive Rating. They are coming off a narrow 110-107 victory over the New York Knicks. Durant was other-worldly against the Knicks, going for 53 points, 6 rebounds, and 9 assists. Andre Drummond had a double-double at 18 points and 10 rebounds on 8/8 from the field. The Knicks got contributions from their three main offensive weapons: Julius Randle scored 26 points, RJ Barrett had 24, and Evan Fournier had 25. It wasn’t enough though, as the Nets won the battle for New York. Since it is an away game, Kyrie Irving will suit up for the Nets. LaMarcus Aldridge is out, and Seth Curry is a game time decision. Ben Simmons has not even been cleared for 1v1 play, so he is still a couple weeks away.
The Magic are eliminated from the playoffs, but their young core is showing their potential. Since the All-Star break, the Magic are 5-4 with the best Defensive Rating in basketball. They have the 28th Offensive Rating in that span, so they know where to focus over the off-season. The Magic just lost to the Philadelphia 76ers 116-114 in overtime. Wendell Carter Jr scored 23 points on 10/19 shooting and grabbed 12 rebounds. Cole Anthony scored 19 points, and Jalen Suggs chipped in 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists. The Magic bench outscored the 76ers bench 51-19, but the Harden-Embiid duo was too much. Embiid produced 35 points, 16 rebounds, and 7 assists, while James Harden had 26 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists. The pair combined to go 28 for 32 on free throws. The 76ers as a team had 17 more free throws than the Magic. Jalen Suggs is out, while Gary Harris is good to go. Harris likely gets the start in the backcourt because of Suggs’ injury.
Brooklyn Nets vs Orlando Magic Betting Odds
The Nets are 2-1 against the Magic this season, but the loss was a worthless game that meant nothing. COVID protocols and injury destroyed that game, as Durant, Irving, Harden, Bamba, Anthony, Fultz, Carter Jr, and Suggs were all out. In this game, I would choose the Magic to cover here, but Jalen Suggs’ injury is a huge loss both offensively and defensively. The Magic are actually slightly deeper than the Nets, but the star power advantage is too great here. Durant is balling right now, and the Magic cannot stop him. I don’t expect the game to be high scoring. The Magic are playing excellent defense, but they are struggling to score. The Nets can score, but they cannot score enough to compensate for the Magic’s offensive struggles.
If you're in a state with legal sports betting, you can bet on this game! Lineups has exclusive new sign up bonuses from the top legal Sportsbooks online.
TV Schedule
Date: 3/15/22
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Arena: Amway Center – Orlando, FL
Channel: NBA League Pass
Live Stream Brooklyn Nets vs Orlando Magic Free Online: Watch Every NBA Game
You can stream this game online for free. You can get a free 7-day trial and live stream NBA games from any device. Click the banner below and start watching.
Brooklyn Nets Starting Lineup
PG: Kyrie Irving
SG: Seth Curry
SF: Bruce Brown Jr
PF: Kevin Durant
C: Andre Drummond
Brooklyn Nets Analysis
The Nets have a lethal one-two punch in Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. Durant is an isolation scoring genius who can shoot over anybody. The Magic start Wendell Carter Jr at power forward, a 6’10” 255 lbs forward who is deceptively nimble but cannot guard the perimeter. Durant will make quick work of Carter Jr outside the paint, so the Magic must send resources to help shade towards Durant. If Durant drives to the basket, this will feed into Carter Jr’s defensive strengths. Also, the Magic have Mo Bamba stationed in the paint. Bamba is 7’1” with a 7’10” wingspan, and he is averaging 1.7 BPG. The Nets must hit their jump shots outside of the paint to have success against this surprisingly sturdy Magic defense. Irving can help in this regard, as he has a 47/40/89 shooting split. He’s one of the best ball handlers and shot creators of all time, so the Magic must be ready. Because Jalen Suggs is out, Kyrie will have Cole Anthony defending him. Anthony is an average defender at best who is struggling to guard the pick and roll. Kyrie can exploit Anthony and deliver key offensive production outside the paint.
Apart from their dangerous duo, the Nets need production from Andre Drummond. Because Carter Jr and Bamba operate in the paint, Drummond must turn in a good rebounding and defensive performance. The Magic are inefficient offensively, so denying them second chance points from offensive rebounds would go a long way to limiting them. Drummond is an excellent rebounder, which bodes well for the Nets defense.
Orlando Magic Starting Lineup
PG: Cole Anthony
SG: Gary Harris
SF: Franz Wagner
PF: Wendell Carter Jr
C: Mo Bamba
Orlando Magic Analysis
In order to beat the Nets, the Magic need to keep this game low-scoring and messy. If the game turns into an offensive shootout, the Nets will easily outperform the Magic. Wendell Carter Jr will be a major factor in deciding this game. Defensively, he will have the challenge of marking Durant. He doesn’t need to clamp him, but just contesting every shot and making Durant work for his points would limit the damage. Offensively, Carter Jr must bully Durant in the paint and force him to hard contest shots. Getting a few early fouls on Durant and forcing him into less minutes can help the Magic steal this game. Since the All-Star break, Carter Jr is averaging 19.1 PPG, 12.0 RPG, and 2.9 APG on 57.6 FG%. Bamba is a defense-oriented center, so Carter Jr will be the one tasked with getting interior points. Anthony must be both a scorer and facilitator for the Magic. Suggs is out, so Wagner will be an important secondary playmaker. He can take pressure off of Anthony and provide shot creation.
The Magic are loaded with promising young players, so the bench can flip the game in any game. Former 1st overall pick Markelle Fultz is back from injury, and he has looked sharp. Since he returned six games ago, he is averaging 10.0 PPG and 5.5 APG in 17.4 MPG. His much maligned shooting has been solid at 53.3 FG% and 40.0 3PT%. Gary Harris likely takes Suggs’ spot in the starting lineup, so Fultz’s job on the bench will be even more vital. The Nets bench can be overwhelmed, so Fultz, RJ Hampton, and Chuma Okeke are essential. The Magic likely lose the starting minutes, which means the bench could be the difference between a blowout and a close game.
Brooklyn Nets vs Orlando Magic Daily Fantasy Picks
I like Durant, Irving, and Carter Jr, in this game. Durant is a must-play every time he is on the court. The Magic do not have a lanky defensive wing to mark him, so he should be able to get his shot off with ease here. I think he drops 35+ points and adds 5+ rebounds and assists. Because Irving is a part-time player and did not play against the Knicks, he will have fresh legs. Irving will have the opportunity to pick apart Cole Anthony’s defense. For the Magic, they have been giving Carter Jr plenty of opportunity. He’s been making his shots, so it’s always smart to bet on someone with high volume and efficiency. Look for Carter Jr to have another 20-point double-double.
