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Orlando Magic vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Game Preview

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Orlando Magic vs. Washington Wizards Game Preview

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The Orlando Magic look to end their recent stretch of poor, uninspired play Wednesday when they host the Washington Wizards, one of the league's worst teams, at Amway Center. The Magic have lost four straight games, tying three other occasions for their longest stretch of futility in the Stan Van Gundy era, and have done so by an average of 15 points per game. Orlando has the look of a team on the verge of utter collapse.

Fortunately, the Magic have a great opportunity to right themselves Wednesday, as the 4-17 Wizards don't figure to present much of a challenge. Orlando has won each of the last seven meetings with Washington by an average of 17.4 points per game. Since the Magic dealt the Washington an 18-point defeat on January 4th, the Wizards fired coach Flip Saunders and replaced him with NBA retread Randy Wittman. Under its interim coach, Washington has gone 2-2, but both of its wins came against the league-worst Charlotte Bobcats. However, second-year point guard John Wall has been a nightmare: in his last 10 games, the Kentucky product is averaging 19.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, 7.3 assists, and one blocked shot.

Orlando may be shorthanded Wednesday, with its starting backcourt of Jameer Nelson and Jason Richardson nursing head and knee injuries, respectively. Chris Duhon and J.J. Redick may wind up getting the start.

Wizards big man Andray Blatche is out due to a calf injury. High-flying rookie Jan Vesely replaces him in the starting five.

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Orlando Magic vs. Indiana Pacers Game Preview

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Orlando Magic at New Orleans Hornets Game Preview

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The Orlando Magic can rebound from their second deflating loss to the Boston Celtics in three days on Friday when they take on the New Orleans Hornets. After losing Chris Paul and David West over the summer, New Orleans faces a full rebuild mode. Unfortunately for it, Eric Gordon, the star shooting guard it received from the Los Angeles Clippers in the Paul trade, has appeared in just two games due to knee injury. As a result, the Hornets are simply awful offensively.

Friday's is Orlando's fourth game in five nights, and the schedule hardly relents from there: the Magic have an off day Saturday, but then play yet another back-to-back Sunday and Monday. Orlando must take advantage of this opportunity to fatten up: New Orleans has lost nine straight games and has won just once at home in 10 tries.

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Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics Game Preview

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The last time the Orlando Magic played the Boston Celtics, the Celtics were without their starting backcourt of Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen. They didn't have Mickael Pietrus, Chris Wilcox, or Keyon Dooling available off the bench. Orlando was at full strength, coming off two days of rest. Everyone was healthy and available.

So Boston held Orlando to franchise-worsts in scoring (56) and field goals (16), among other ignominous records, because of course it did. Former Magic forward Brandon Bass, who Orlando traded to the Celtics for Glen Davis and Von Wafer, lit up Orlando for 19 points off the bench. Davis shot 2-of-9 for six points, and though he did haul in a game-high 11 boards, the loss left him wondering if maybe he was better off staying with the Celtics.

So the Magic can redeem themselves Thursday night as they host the Celtics at Amway Center for the only time during the 2011/12 season. Allen and Rondo are out once again.

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Orlando Magic at Indiana Pacers Game Preview

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Dwight Howard aims to become the Orlando Magic's all-time leading scorer Tuesday night as he leads Orlando to Bankers Life Fieldhouse to take on the Indiana Pacers. With eight points, he can break Nick Anderson's mark and claim first place on Orlando's leaderboard.

Following a historically awful loss to the Boston Celtics on Monday, Orlando has the pleasure of taking on a rested Pacers squad which has won seven of its last nine games, has seven players average 10-plus points, and has yet to lose at home. Danny Granger leads the team with 16.1 points, but the Pacers' real strength is defense: in leads the NBA in field-goal percentage allowed (41 percent) and ranks fourth in defensive efficiency.

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Orlando Magic at Boston Celtics Game Preview

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Orlando Magic vs. Los Angeles Lakers Game Preview

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Orlando Magic Vs. San Antonio Spurs Game Preview

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The Orlando Magic aim to close out their only back-to-back-to-back set of the season strong Wednesday night when they host the San Antonio Spurs at Amway Center. The Magic have won each of their last five games and look to keep San Anotnio winless on the road this season.

The Spurs are coming off a confounding loss to the Miami Heat, one in which they squandered a 17-point first-half lead by allowing Miami to dominate the third quarter, 39-12. Due to the blowout, coach Gregg Popovich was able to rest his veterans; Tim Duncan played 27 minutes, Tony Parker logged 25, and Richard Jefferson saw 23.

The teams have split the eight meetings since Stan Van Gundy took over as Orlando's head coach, with each team owning a 3-1 record at home.

Former Spurs forward Hedo Turkoglu, arguably Orlando's second-best player, will sit Wednesday due to back spasms, reports Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel. Quentin Richardson will take his place in the starting lineup.

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Orlando Magic vs. Charlotte Bobcats Game Preview

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The Orlando Magic look to continue their recent dominance over a Southeast Division rival Tuesday night as they host the Charlotte Bobcats. Counting the playoffs, the Magic have won each of the last nine meetings against Charlotte and 16 of the last 17.

The Bobcats rank among the league's worst overall teams, at 27th in offense and 29th in defense. Without scoring wings Corey Maggette and Reggie Williams available, they've struggled to put points on the board. Waterbug point guard D.J. Augustin leads the team in scoring at 15.4 per game and is coming off a 24-point, 8-assist outing in a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night.

Earlier Monday, Orlando rallied to defeat the New York Knicks behind 30 points from Ryan Anderson and 21 from spot-starter J.J. Redick, filling in for the injured Jason Richardson.

Tuesday's game, set to tip at 7 Eastern on Fox Sports Florida--not Sun Sports--is the second of Orlando's only back-to-back-to-back set of the lockout-shortened season.

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