Magic at Timberwolves
Two of the top rookies in the league meet when the Orlando Magic visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night – both looking to end losing streaks. Orlando point guard Elfrid Payton recorded four double-doubles and two triple-doubles in the last 13 games while fellow first-year player Andrew Wiggins of the Timberwolves is averaging 16.3 points.
Payton, the 10th selection in the 2014 draft, scored in double figures 12 times in the last 13 contests but the Magic are limping through the home stretch with four straight losses and one win in 11 games. Wiggins, who has played in every game after being the top pick last June, is producing 23.7 points over the last six contests while the Timberwolves have dropped five in a row. The game also features the finalists in the 2015 Slam Dunk contest, when Minnesota’s Zach LaVine edged Victor Oladipo from the Magic. Orlando has won 10 of its last 12 against Minnesota, including a 112-103 overtime triumph on Nov. 7.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Orlando), FSN North (Minnesota)
ABOUT THE MAGIC (22-53): Orlando dropped the last four at home, including a 103-91 decision to defending NBA champion San Antonio on Wednesday after trailing by 22 going into the fourth quarter. “In order to get where they are and get where we want to be, we’ve got to get better,” Oladipo told the Orlando Sentinel. “It’s just plain and simple.” Oladipo is averaging 17.8 points – 19.8 in the least five games – to place second on the team in scoring behind Nikola Vucevic (19.3 points, 11.1 rebounds).
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (16-59): Leading scorer Kevin Martin (20.2) could miss his seventh straight game with a hamstring injury, and Wiggins has taken over some of the load by scoring at least 25 in three of the last five. LaVine averages nine points overall, but the rookie posted 17 or more in eight of his last 11 games. Center Gorgui Dieng (concussion), who leads the team in rebounding (8.3) and blocked shots (1.7), guard Ricky Rubio (ankle) and forward Kevin Garnett (knee) are expected to miss Friday’s contest.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Minnesota SF Chase Budinger has scored in double figures in 11 straight games, averaging 15.5 points in that span.
2. Orlando F Tobias Harris is averaging 17.7 points in three games since missing the previous three with a recurring ankle injury.
3. The Timberwolves are last in the league in scoring defense (106.1) and the Magic are 25th (102.1).