Magic vs. Wizards preview: Aaron Gordon questionable as Magic seek third straight win

These two teams are no strangers, having played one another Friday night.

In that match-up the Magic built a 25-point lead that the Wizards cut to one late in the fourth quarter. But D.J. Augustin had an immediate answer with a crucial three as the Magic closed out the game for a 117-108 win. For the Magic, who had made an early season habit of surrendering comfortable leads, it was an encouraging display of poise.

In their next game, the Magic again established an early lead and this time - thanks to crisp ball movement and 17 three-pointers - they protected it throughout in what was a dominant 115-89 win over the Knicks. The victory, the largest in franchise history at Madison Square Garden, was the fourth in five games for the Magic.

The Magic are now seeking a three-game winning streak, something the team has done only a dozen times since Dwight Howard left Orlando in 2012.

And standing in their way of that third straight win will be Howard himself.

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Orlando heads to Washington to face a Wizards team coming off an encouraging win in South Florida, having defeated the Heat, 116-110, on Saturday. The Wizards, who have struggled with their perimeter shooting int he opening month of the season, connected on 11 of 27 attempts (40.7 percent). Still, the Wizards have the fourth worst record in the league at 3-9, thanks in part to their shoddy defense, which owns the league’s third worst defensive rating at 114.1 points per 100 possessions.

The Magic (6-7), after holding the Knicks to just 89 points on 35.2 percent shooting, have improved their defensive rating to 107.3 (14th in the league).

It will be the third back-to-back of the season for the Magic. They swept their last back-to-back earlier this month with a win at San Antonio and at home against Cleveland.

As of early Monday afternoon, Aaron Gordon, who missed Sunday’s game against the Knicks because of a sprained ankle, was listed as questionable. Jonathan Isaac will miss a sixth straight game due to an ankle sprain.

Should Gordon be unable to go once again, expect Jarell Martin (7 points, 6 rebounds, 2-for-10 shooting against the Knicks) to start in his place.

Not easy to win on the second night of a back-to-back when key players are out or hobbled.

But if the Magic manage to defeat the Wizards, they will head back to Orlando for a four-game homestand with a three-game winning streak and a .500 record.