Magic at Timberwolves
The Orlando Magic are stuck in a defensive slump and it is threatening their playoff positioning. The Magic will try to fix things on the defensive end and snap a three-game slide when they visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.
Orlando allowed at least 112 points in each of its last nine games and could not guard the 3-point line at Miami on Wednesday, allowing the Heat a franchise-record 22 made 3-pointers - nine from rookie Duncan Robinson - in a 116-113 setback. "I told the guys, the biggest factor tonight, which is totally on me, we just didn't have a good enough option B for Duncan Robinson until halftime," Magic coach Steve Clifford told reporters. "When we made adjustments at halftime, our guys did a good job, but (Robinson's first-half shooting) was difference in the game." The Timberwolves are trying to win three in a row for the first time since the first three games of the season after knocking off New Orleans and Chicago on back-to-back nights this week - matching the team's win total from the previous 22 games. "It's a steppingstone," Minnesota coach Ryan Saunders told reporters. "But hey, I mean it when I say we take every game like you're 0-0. That's the approach we have to have."
TIME: 8 p.m. ET. TV: FS Florida, FS North
ABOUT THE MAGIC (27-35): Orlando managed to stay in the game on Wednesday thanks to the play of reserve guard Terrence Ross, who poured in a season-high 35 points on 12-of-18 shooting, including 8-of-10 from 3-point range. "When he gets hot like that, it's great for us because he opens up so much," Magic center Nikola Vucevic told reporters of Ross. "It doesn't take much for (Ross) to get open and shoot. He's gotten really, really good coming off pin-downs and different screen actions and we know to look for him. That's one of the most efficient offensive things that we have." Ross' previous season high came last Friday, when he poured in 33 points and knocked down seven 3-pointers in a 136-125 home win over Minnesota.
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (19-42): Minnesota is coming together after breaking down and rebuilding the roster at the trade deadline, with guards Malik Beasley and D'Angelo Russell leading the charge and veterans like James Johnson around to push the younger players. "We know what winning is in this league - it's little things," Beasley, who is averaging 21.4 points in 11 games since coming over from the Denver Nuggets, told reporters. "In shootaround, if we're putting up shots, (Johnson) is making sure we're getting back with nobody there. It's just habits of building a foundation, and that foundation is starting to show now and then." Beasley averaged 26 points in the last two games while center Nick Reid posted a double-double in both contests.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Timberwolves C Karl-Anthony Towns (wrist) has been out since Feb. 10 and will not play on Friday.
2. Magic SG Evan Fournier (elbow) is doubtful for Friday.
3. Orlando took the last two meetings but has not won in Minnesota since Dec. 1, 2015.