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Magic at Trail Blazers: Orlando hopes to right the ship in Portland

Losers of five straight, the Magic enter Saturday's game against the title-contending Blazers facing long odds.

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Wesley Matthews
Wesley Matthews
Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports

The Orlando Magic close a back-to-back set on the road Saturday as they take on the surging Portland Trail Blazers.

Tipoff between Orlando and Portland is set for 10:00 PM. Fox Sports Florida and ESPN 580 AM will offer live coverage in the Orlando market.

Orlando's last time out: The Magic suffered an embarrassing loss to an undermanned Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, 101-84. Playing without Kobe Bryant and Wesley Johnson, L.A. nonetheless smacked Orlando behind 18 points from Jeremy Lin and a 12-point, 14-rebound effort from Tarik Black, a midseason waiver-wire pickup. Against one of the league's worst defenses, the Magic shot just 39.5 percent from the floor and committed 16 turnovers.

Portland's last time out: The Blazers continued their strong season Thursday by delivering the Miami Heat a 99-83 beatdown thanks to a blistering third quarter, one in which they outscored the Heat by a 33-16 margin. LaMarcus Aldridge tallied game-bests with 24 points and 12 rebounds, and Wesley Matthews contributed 18 points and five assists as Portland cruised. Miami shot 37.7 percent from the floor in defeat.

More Blazers coverage: Blazer's Edge

Last season: The teams split the two-game series, with each club winning at home. Orlando stunned Portland in the most recent meeting, taking advantage of Aldridge's absence to earn a 95-85 victory. Tobias Harris scored 25 points and hauled in 11 boards off Orlando's bench as the Magic withstood a 20-point, 13-board effort from Robin Lopez word.

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