NBA action is ready for Halloween night when the Orlando Magic (2-0, 2-0 ATS) stay in town to play the Los Angeles Clippers (2-1, 2-1 ATS) on the night after Orlando plays the Lakers. The Magic won in Portland on Friday 102-97, covering the spread as four point favorites. The Clippers steamrolled the Spurs by 40, winning 123-83, easily covering the 9-point spread as favorites. The Magic won both games against the Clippers last season. Tipoff is scheduled for 10:30 EST from the Crypto.com arena in downtown Los Angeles.

Magic Off To Fast Start

The young Orlando Magic squad is off to a hot start as they won and covered in both of their opening games. Orlando defeated Houston at home, then began their west coast trip with a stop in Portland, beating the Blazers by five. The Magic tightened up their defensive effort in the 4th, only allowing 17 points by the Blazers in the final period. Third-year player Franz Wagner led the Magic in scoring with 23. The Magic are the only team in the Southeast division to not lose a game yet.

Wagner is leading the team in scoring through the first two games with 21.0 PPG. The 6’10 forward has guard skills and the ability to shoot from deep. He has made six total threes in the first two games. Cole Anthony just agreed to a $39 million dollar extension to stay in Orlando, he has been coming off the bench to spark the second unit and is averaging 19.0 points per game. The only other player averaging double figures early is the reigning Rookie of the Year, Paolo Banchero. He is another 6’10 forward, he has perimeter skills but also has the physicality to score inside, he is averaging 13.0 PPG.

The Magic have played the same starting lineup in both games. The backcourt features Markelle Fultz and Jalen Suggs, both players are averaging a hair under ten points per game. Wendell Carter Jr. starts at center, he averages 8.0 PPG and 8.5 RPG inside. Big man Moritz Wagner and guard Gary Harris provide valuable minutes off the bench. Orlando is currently playing at the slowest offensive pace in the league according to dunksandthrees.com, only averaging 96 possessions per game.

Stars Shine in LA

The Clippers’ star players have heard enough of the Victor Wembanyama hype, and proved a point by defeating his Spurs by 40. The Clippers controlled the game from the tip, as the Spurs only managed to score 37 points by halftime. All three of the Clippers stars, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Russell Westbrook, scored 19 or more in the easy win. The Clippers get a lot of heat for resting players, but their big three have played in every game so far in the early season.

Paul George is off to a hot start to begin the season, the 6’8 eight-time All-Star is averaging 27.3 PPG through three games. Kawhi Leonard has a long list of accolades as well, including two Finals MVPs, he is adding another 23.0 PPG to go with 5.7 RPG and 5.0 APG. Russell Westbrook has not been scoring as much as he used to with just 11.0 PPG, but he is still a valuable contributor as he adds 7.3 RPG and 6.7 APG. Ivica Zuac starts inside, the 7’0 center has been solid averaging 14.0 PPG and 7.3 RPG. Robert Covington is an excellent defender, but cannot find his role offensively, he is only averaging three points per game to start the season.

Bones Hyland has been a big scorer off the bench for Los Angeles, he is averaging 15.7 PPG to lead the second unit. Norman Powell has also been scoring well with 13.7 PPG. Mason Plumlee and Kenyon Martin Jr. fill the post positions off the bench. The Clippers pace of play is ranked 15th in the league with 100.7 possessions per game.