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The Brooklyn Nets have hit their stride and would be looking to make it 8 wins in a row when they welcome the Orlando Magic to the Barclays Center on Thursday night.
What many expected to happen has begun to unfold as the Brooklyn Nets' dynamic offense is taking shape and dominating the league's best - such as both LA sides in the past week. The Orlando Magic, meanwhile, have had to withstand injuries to several key players this season. After losing to the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday, they are languishing near the bottom of the East standings.
Match Details
Fixture: Orlando Magic vs Brooklyn Nets - NBA Season 2020-21
Date & Time: Thursday, February 25th, 2021 7:30 PM ET. (Friday 6:00 AM IST)
Venue: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
Orlando Magic Preview
Detroit's revenge win over the Orlando Magic saw a poor all-round performance from the home side. Relying on Nikola Vucevic's All-Star abilities, the Magic showed little else on offense and succumbed to the conference's worst side. This was after they had raised the hopes of their fans by winning four of their previous five, despite a mounting injury list.
Leading up to the All-Star break, the Orlando Magic face four of the league's top-10 offenses. Given their lack of scoring potential in this department (103.5 per game), it could prove tricky for the franchise to outscore their opponents and may come out the other side with a 13-23 record.
Key Player - Nikola Vucevic
Nikola Vucevic has been a shining light in an otherwise disappointing season for the Orlando Magic. With various Magic starters out injured, Vucevic has taken up the reins as his side's leader and earned himself a second career All-Star selection this week.
This is because Vucevic has registered a career-high 23.9 points, as well as his 11.7 rebounds, making him one of the league's elite centers. In fact, were the Orlando Magic to be a contender, Vucevic's name may have even been among the league's MVP candidates, the way fellow big men Jokic and Embiid are.
Vucevic is a modern-day center, shooting at 39.9% on 6.2 3-point attempts per game and 83.5% from the line - both also personal bests.
Orlando Magic Predicted Starting Lineup
PG - Michael-Carter Williams, SG - Evan Fournier, SF - James Ennis III, PF - Al-Farouq Aminu, C - Nikola Vucevic
Brooklyn Nets Preview
The Brooklyn Nets are flying. They have the league's best offense, scoring 117 points per game, and have won their last 7 matchups, five of which came without Kevin Durant.
James Harden and Kyrie Irving have been on fire in Durant's absence, propelling the Brooklyn Nets to second in the East, one loss behind Philadelphia. Nash's side now have the depth to go with their offensive powerhouse, gaining output from the likes of Landry Shamet and Tyler Johnson off the bench.
Given their current winning run, Durant has not had to be rushed back to the floor. This only goes to show as to how fearsome the Nets could be come the postseason.
Key Player - James Harden
No Durant? No problem. Not when you are in possession of two NBA superstars as the Brooklyn Nets are. Particularly one James Harden, who is no stranger to leading a side with his serial scoring ability.
Harden scored a combined 60 points against the LA franchises over the weekend and led a 24-point comeback win against Phoenix without Kyrie or KD on the floor. The shooting guard has proven he can be the player many doubted he could be at the Brooklyn Nets, currently averaging career-high dimes (11.6) and rebounds (8.5) and grabbing 1.2 steals per game.
Brooklyn Nets Predicted Starting Lineup
PG - Kyrie Irving, SG - James Harden, PF - Joe Harris, SF - Bruce Brown Jr., C - DeAndre Jordan
Magic vs Nets Match Prediction
The Brooklyn Nets are likely to dominate this matchup, given their superior scoring options across the floor. Although the Orlando Magic have a marginally meaner defense, the Nets are on a roll and have been seeing improved performances from their fringe stars as well as their superstar trio of late.
Bruce Brown Jr. matched James Harden with 29 points on Tuesday night while Joe Harris popped up with another solid 18. With their recent scalps of the top sides, it's hard to look past a comfortable Brooklyn Nets win when they face the Orlando Magic.
Where to watch Magic vs Nets?
Fans will be able to catch the fixture on local broadcast through the YES network and Fox Sports Florida. The game will also be available to watch for those who have an NBA League Pass.
