In a lot of ways, the San Antonio Spurs and Orlando Magic are similar teams on a similar trajectory. After years of suffering caused (in part) by betrayal from previous franchise players, they both found new ones with the top overall pick in consecutive years and have been building from there. As Victor Wembanyama and Paolo Banchero have grown into All-Stars, both have added veteran point guards who are threats inside and out to help carry the load in De’Aaron Fox and Desmond Bane, respectively, and both teams have built up plenty of depth behind them to move back into the playoff race and, hopefully, title contention sooner than later.
Another similarity this season is they’ve both found ways to keep winning despite losing those aforementioned franchise players to stubborn injuries (Wemby’s calf and Banchero’s groin). In their places, the committees have stepped up, with veterans like Harrison Barnes, Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson for the Spurs and Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs for the Magic filling in admirably while leading each team to win their respective groups in the NBA Cup.
Now, those two similar teams clash for the first time this season, although the similarities end at style of play. Can the Magic take advantage of a big rest advantage and the Spurs missing the best paint defender in the league, or can the more accurate Spurs win it from three against one of the worst outside shooting teams in the league? Tune in to find out!
**Spurs Injuries**: Not due until 1:30 PM, but we can assume at least Victor Wembanyama (calf), Stephon Castle (hip) and Jordan McLaughlin (hamstring) are out
**Magic Injuries**: Paolo Banchero — out (groin); Mortiz Wagner — out (knee); Colin Castleton — out (hand)
* **Rest disadvantage** — Back-to-backs are never fun. They can be exhausting for players, fans, and even writers. (Hello, there!) The worst type of b2b is not only when your team is at a rest disadvantage, but when it’s compounded by losing an hour. After playing the Grizzlies in San Antonio on Tuesday — right after returning from a four-game road trip — the Spurs not only had to get right back on a plane for another 4-game road trip, but they also lose an hour of rest by heading East to Florida. The good news is these Spurs are young, deep and energetic, but the Magic will still be fresh and well rested after a home win against the Bulls on Monday.
* **Three-point advantage, maybe?** — The Spurs have been a middle-of-the-road three-pointing shooting team this season, sitting at exactly 15th in the league at 35.7%. However, they often find themselves at a disadvantage in that category because they are bad at defending the three — whether it’s due to poor rotations, communication or closeouts — and [they know it](https://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/spurs-struggling-prevent-opponent-s-three-for-all-21216748.php). On the other hand, the Magic are bad at both shooting AND defending the three, coming in at 23rd in the league in both. Of course, it’s hard to say if that will actually translate into an advantage for the Spurs (it always feels like even bad shooting teams go off on them), but it is something that can help negate the rest disadvantage if they take proper advantage of it.
* **Defending the paint** — If the Magic are so bad at three-point shooting, then why the recent rise up the standings despite no Banchero? The answer is simple: points in the paint. In their last three wins, they have averaged 60 points in the paint and overall are third in the league in that category, which also has led to a league-best 30.8 free throw attempts per game. While Luke Kornet has done an admirable job in Wemby’s absence, the deterrent that prevents players from even trying to score around the rim is still missing, and Orlando will have no fear of attacking. The Spurs’ defense will have to find the correct balance between covering their own weakness of defending the three while avoiding overhelping or biting on pump fakes, which in turn opens up driving lanes and the Magic’s biggest strength.
You can follow along with game here on the Game Thread, as well as on our X profile ([@poundingtherock](https://x.com/poundingtherock)).
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