Orlando is a top-five defensive squad

The Magic scored an impressive win over the Bucks in their last game, holding Milwaukee under 100 points. Orlando controlled the glass with a 43-36 rebounding advantage (15 offensive) and shot 30-for-35 at the foul line. It led by as many as 21 points.

Orlando has enough talent to compete in the Eastern Conference, granted it plays with an edge this season. The Magic are loaded at the frontcourt, as Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Wendell Carter Jr. form an exciting trio. They are hardly the only intriguing players on the roster, however, as veteran guards Joe Ingles and Gary Harris, sophomore guard Jalen Suggs, and floor general Cole Anthony will be difference-makers if this squad is going to make the playoffs. The Magic score 110.1 points per game (21st) and shoot 45.4 percent from the field (22nd), including 33.1 percent from deep (25th). Orlando shoots 74.6 percent (22nd) and averages 45.3 rebounds (14th). Its opponents score 106.1 points per game (5th) and shoot 46.7 percent (17th) with a 34.6 three-point shooting percentage (12th). 

The Nets own the glass

With two starters making their returns and two others sidelined, the Nets barely held on for a victory over the Wizards on Sunday, nearly blowing a 17-point lead. SF Mikal Bridges paced the way for Brooklyn with 27 points on 11-for-29 shooting and C Nic Claxton secured 13 rebounds in his return to the court. Both teams shot 37 percent from the field, including under 25 percent from three. The Nets controlled the glass, outrebounding Washington 66-42 with 20 offensive boards, but committed 19 turnovers.

The Nets are led by SG Cam Thomas, who is averaging 26.9 points on 47.9 percent shooting. They also rely on contributions from Bridges (20.2 PPG and 6.3 RPG) and G Lonnie Walker IV (15.4 PPG). Brooklyn has eight players scoring at least eight points per game. The Nets score 113.2 points per game (14th) and shoot 45.9 percent (18th), including 37.0 percent from three-point distance (8th). They hit 77.2 percent of their foul shots (13th) and average 47.8 rebounds (3rd). Brooklyn’s opponents average 113.3 points (16th) and shoot 45.2 percent (7th) with a 33.2 three-point shooting percentage (8th). The Nets are 18th in schedule-adjusted offensive rating,