The Orlando Magic have started the season about as well as anyone could have imagined.
The crowd at the Amway Center was electric, the Magic executed their game plan with precision on both ends of the court and the end result was a dominant 30-point victory.
Now, the Magic look to take that momentum on the road as they prepare for a daunting four-game West Coast trip against the Portland Trail Blazers Friday night at 10 p.m. ET.
“It’ll be a great test for us,” Magic shooting guard Jalen Suggs said. “See how cooped up we are… go out West and be roadkill for a little while.” Start the year and build on that.
Orlando’s win in Game 1 lived up to the team’s mantra of getting it done by committee. Six Magic players scored in double figures. Fifteen of them stepped on the hardwood for Orlando, each of them recording a positive plus-minus rating.
“(We have) to go out and play the way we play,” Suggs said. “I think it’s going to be very important tonight. Not letting the antics of (Portland’s first home game) or their energy annoy us or discourage us when they go on a run because that’s going to happen tonight. To be us.”
The task at hand for the Magic is a revamped Blazers team with plenty of young talent on its roster. New additions Deandre Ayton, Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Williams III and 2023 NBA Draft No. 2 pick Scoot Henderson all scored in double figures in Portland’s opener – a 123-111 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers .
Still, regardless of Portland’s personnel, Orlando will look to stay true to their principles of limiting the Blazers’ points in the paint, forcing turnovers and dominating on the glass – just like they did against the Rockets .
“We have to stick to our principles,” Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley said. “Making sure you protect the paint, take care of the transition and the return – taking care of the basketball is a big part of that – (and) being able to protect the rim. End possessions with a rebound.
INSIDE AND OUT: Orlando two-way players Kevon Harris (right knee soreness) and Trevelin Queen (G League – Two-Way) are out.
For Portland, Anfernee Simons (right thumb sprain) is probable, while Ish Wainright (right calf sprain) is out.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “The (Magic) was just pulling us away to get offensive rebounds early. And that kind of set the tone from the beginning. And then they were aggressive on defense, putting us on our heels there. – Rockets head coach Ime Udoka on the Magic
KEY STATS: Orlando’s 30-point victory (116-86) over Houston was the largest opening night margin of victory in franchise history. The previous record was 29 points, set on October 30, 2001 against Toronto (114-85) and October 28, 2010 against Washington (112-83).
