The NBA’s Trade Deadline has now come and gone. While it looked for a while like the Magic would choose to sit the unofficial holiday out, the organization instead made a move with about ten minutes remaining before the 3:00 deadline.
Orlando sent forward Jonathon Simmons, a 2020 Top-20 protected 1st round pick (from OKC via PHI), and a 2019 2nd round pick (from Cleveland) to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange fore former first overall selection (‘17) Markelle Fultz.
And just as newsworthy is the fact that the Magic did so without trading Terrence Ross or Nikola Vucevic, two key cogs in Orlando’s rotation who are set to become unrestricted free agents at season’s end.
Well, there’s also real basketball to be played tonight, and for the Magic, it’s somewhat of a must-win game for a team who finds themselves four-games out of the eighth-seed in the Eastern Conference.
Who: Minnesota Timberwolves (25-28) at Orlando Magic (22-32)
When: Thursday, February 7th, 7:00 PM EST
Where: Amway Center, Orlando, FL
Line: Orlando -3, O/U: 215.5
Injuries: MIN - OUT - Derrick Rose (ankle), Tyus Jones (ankle), Robert Covington (ankle); QUESTIONABLE - Jeff Teague (foot); ORL - OUT - Mohamed Bamba (leg)
Minnesota | Orlando |
---|---|
Offensive Rating: 110.8 (13th) | Offensive Rating: 105.9 (26th) |
Defensive Rating: 110.8 (18th) | Defensive Rating: 109.2 (13th) |
Pace: 99.8 (15th) | Pace: 98.3 (25th) |
Projected Starters: | |
PG - Jerryd Bayless | PG - D.J. Augustin |
SG - Josh Okogie | SG - Evan Fournier |
SF - Andrew Wiggins | F - Aaron Gordon |
PF - Taj Gibson | F - Jonathan Isaac |
C - Karl-Anthony Towns | C - Nikola Vucevic |
For perspective from the other side, check out the work of our friends over at Canis Hoops.
For some pregame reading reading, check out our own Mike Cali’s work regarding the Magic trading for Fultz and Ross/Vucevic remaining in Orlando (for now).
Feel free to follow us on Twitter at @OPPMagicBlog. And as always, enjoy!
GAME #55 TONIGHT
— Orlando Magic PR (@Magic_PR) February 7, 2019
VS MINNESOTA
⌚️7 p.m.
@FOXSportsFL
(pregame show at 6:30 p.m.)
@FOXSports App
@Accion979 - 810 AM/@Salsa981orlando
https://t.co/ysoyaia5uh#PureMagic
What are they wearing? pic.twitter.com/dxN8XAWlmr