The Orlando Magic continue their five-game road trip Friday, when they take on the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena. Orlando began its trek with victories over the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors before dropping an 87-81 decision to the Jazz in Utah on Wednesday. The Magic might have been able to remain perfect on the trip had they been more accurate from beyond the arc - the club made just 1 of 15 3-point attempts.
Sacramento was able to end its three-game losing streak Wednesday because of its long-range shooting. Tyreke Evans returned from a two-game absence due to a bruised left knee and drained back-to-back 3-point shots late in the fourth quarter to snap a tie and lead the Kings to a 107-100 home triumph over Toronto. Sacramento, which was 6-of-15 from beyond the arc, looks to even its home record at 6-6.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Orlando), CSN California (Sacramento)
ABOUT THE MAGIC (7-11): Orlando has had plenty of success against the Kings of late. The Magic have won seven of the last eight meetings between the teams and four in a row in Sacramento. The all-time series is even at 23 wins apiece. The Magic have led the NBA in 3-pointers made and attempted each of the last three seasons. In addition to their horrid long-range shooting on Wednesday, turnovers played a big role in the loss. Forward Glen Davis laid some of the blame on himself after committing three of Orlando's 20 turnovers. "It just shows how important it is to play the whole game and how we can't have little errors like turnovers," he said. "I turned the ball over a lot today."
ABOUT THE KINGS (5-12): Evans was the subject of trash talk from Toronto's bench before silencing it with his 3-pointers. "They were just talking over there, you know," Evans said. "They said, 'Leave him open,' and I said, 'Leave me open and I'm going to keep shooting it,' and I just made the shots." Evans, who finished with 23 points, has averaged 21.3 over his last six contests. The Kings have made six or more 3-pointers in each of their last nine games.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Sacramento is 4-1 when scoring 100 points or more and 5-0 at home when leading after three quarters.
2. Orlando is 0-8 when making fewer than five 3-pointers.
3. The Kings have won back-to-back games only once this season, defeating Golden State on Nov. 5 and Detroit two days later.
PREDICTION: Kings 94, Magic 93.