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Washington Wizards Game Preview: Wizards v. Magic

By Jen Julie Smith

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 23: John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards handles the ball against Elfrid Payton #2 of the Orlando Magic at Capital One Arena on December 23, 2017 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 23: John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards handles the ball against Elfrid Payton #2 of the Orlando Magic at Capital One Arena on December 23, 2017 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 23: John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards handles the ball against Elfrid Payton #2 of the Orlando Magic at Capital One Arena on December 23, 2017 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 23: John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards handles the ball against Elfrid Payton #2 of the Orlando Magic at Capital One Arena on December 23, 2017 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

On Friday, the Washington Wizards host the Orlando Magic. The last time these two teams met back in December, Washington crushed Orlando. Here are the keys to the game.

On Friday, the Washington Wizards host the Orlando Magic. The last time these two teams met back in December, Washington crushed Orlando. Interestingly enough, that game was a tail end of a back-to-back, after the Wizards fell to the Nets. This time around, it’s another back-to-back set, with the Wizards playing the Nets on Saturday.

Hopefully, history doesn’t repeat itself, and the Wizards crush both teams.

In the December outing, the Wizards faced a depleted Magic team. They were without Aaron Gordon (sprained calf), Evan Fournier (sprained ankle), Jonathan Isaac (right ankle), and Terrence Ross (out indefinitely with a sprained right MCL and non-displaced fracture, also on the right leg).

During that game, Nikola Vucevic fractured his hand in the first quarter. Vucevic underwent surgery, and the earliest he should return to the Magic’s lineup is in February. Since he’s still recovering, Vucevic isn’t even permitted to sit on the bench as a precaution.

"“Because his surgically repaired left hand is still healing, he isn’t permitted to sit on the Magic’s bench during games. He cannot risk having a player collide into him and reinjuring his hand.”"

However, this time around both Gordon and Fournier will be on the floor.

Currently, the Magic are second to last in the East, with a 12-30 record. This is a matchup that Washington should not only win, but by a large margin. Such that the starters could get some rest before playing the Nets, the following night.

Here are the keys to the game.

Bench has to show up

In their embarrassing loss to the Jazz on Wednesday, Kelly Oubre was the only bench player that showed up. The Wizards bench scored 16 points, and Oubre accounted for 12 of those.

While the Jazz bench had 35 points. The Wizards aren’t going to beat anyone with only half a team.

Jodie Meeks, Ian Mahinmi, and Jason Smith went scoreless against Utah.

Meeks three-point shot hasn’t been falling, and the best thing for a shooter to do is to shoot. But maybe he should start making some short jumpers. Against the Jazz, there were instances when a three wasn’t necessary, and Meeks could’ve drove the lane for a layup or scored inside the three-point line.

Meeks went 0-for-4 from 3-point range. In fact, all of his attempted shots were behind the arc. The Jazz game was such a close game, that it wasn’t the night for Meeks to try to find his 3-point stroke, but rather just get buckets.

Meeks is an 87 percent free throw shooter. He didn’t even see the line against the Jazz, because no one feared him out on the perimeter. But, if he were to get inside and start knocking down jumpers, or layups, then he should have a better night at the line against Orlando.

Make your free throws

Above all else, the Wizards have to make their free throws.

The Wizards are 21 in the league in free throws, shooting 75.6 percent. While the Magic sit at 25, with a 75.1 percent rating. It’s not much of a difference, so the Wizards must make their time at the line count.

Don’t take it for granted

The Magic have lost their last six games, so they’re coming into Washington hungry. The Wizards must come out strong, and maintain their high level of energy for the full four quarters.

Don’t see the Wizards having 23 turnovers like they did against the Jazz. Nonetheless, they still have to make a conscious effort to protect the ball.

In the December outing, Elfrid Payton scored a career-high 30 points. However, that was the first game where John Wall came off a minutes restriction.

Orlando is looking for their first win in 2018. If the Wizards play with high energy and maintain focus, the Magic will have to keep on looking.

Tip Off: 7:00 pm at Captial One Arena.

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