Trail Blazers at Magic
The Orlando Magic have become a playoff contender in the Eastern Conference, and improvement on their home court is one of the many reasons why. The Magic, who went 13-28 in Orlando last season, go after their ninth win in their 13th home game on Friday night when they host the Portland Trail Blazers.
Orlando shot a season-best 55.8 percent from the field to rout visiting Charlotte 113-98 on Wednesday and has won four of the last five at home – three by 15 or more points. The Magic play six of the next seven in Orlando and look to continue their climb in the standings against the Trail Blazers, who have lost four of the past six contests. Orlando’s backcourt must be at its top form defensively against Portland’s dynamic guard duo of Damian Lillard (24.5 points) and C.J. McCollum (19.9). The Trail Blazers have been good enough on the offensive end, but will have to upgrade their defense (102.1 points against) if they are to get back into playoff position in the West.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, CSN Northwest (Portland), FSN Florida (Orlando)
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (11-16): Lillard, who is expected to play despite an ankle injury, is averaging 26 points the last five games and McCollum is at 22.4 in the same span while the duo has made 14-of-28 combined from 3-point range the past two contests. Forward Al-Farouq Aminu (10.7) is the only other player scoring in double figures while center Mason Plumlee (9.7) is close after two straight double-doubles. Center Meyers Leonard is looking to snap out of a slump after shooting 30.2 percent from the field the last six games.
ABOUT THE MAGIC (14-11): Orlando totaled 28 assists in the win Wednesday and forward Channing Frye scored a season-high 17 points to contribute to a balanced offense. “I think we’re starting to find our rhythm and our identity, and that’s moving that ball around,” Frye told reporters. “I think the less the ball touches the ground on certain plays, it’s better for us.” Center Nikola Vucevic leads the team in scoring (15.5) and rebounds (8.6) while guard Evan Fournier (14.6 points) scored 15 on Wednesday after averaging 6.4 the previous five.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Frye on Wednesday became the eighth different Magic player to lead the team in scoring this season.
2. Portland F Maurice Harkless, averaging 4.9 points off the bench, plays against the Magic for the first time after spending his first three NBA seasons in Orlando.
3. The last six games in the series have been won by the home team after they split a pair in 2014-15.