Mavericks at Orlando Magic

(6 p.m. Monday, Amway Center, Orlando)

TV: Fox Sports Southwest

Radio: ESPN 103.3 FM (Univision 1270 AM, Spanish)

About the Mavericks (16-16): Not to suggest that this is a must-win game in any way, but it is a vitally important moment for the Mavericks. Consider the possibilities that they face: Win, and the Mavericks go above .500 for the first time since Jan. 22. It also would put them in position to go two games above .500 on Wednesday against Oklahoma City in the last game before the All-Star break. That would be a huge jolt of momentum heading into the weeklong hiatus. Lose, and they will be no better than 17-17 and possibly two games under .500 in a worst-case scenario. So, yes, it’s an important game. Not to mention that they’d rather have a 2-1 road trip than a 1-2 trip . . . Kristaps Porzingis returned Saturday after missing three games with a stiff back, scoring 18 points against Brooklyn . . . The Mavericks already have a win against the Magic this season, having beaten them 112-98 at American Airlines Center in January. Tim Hardaway had 36 points and Luka Dončić had a triple-double in that game . . . Don’t let that result fool you. The home team has won 11 of the last 12 meetings between the Mavericks and Magic, although the Mavs did take a 16-point decision at Amway Center last season . . . The Mavericks are 8-8 on the road, identical to their home record.

About the Magic (13-21): They are coming off a 124-109 home loss against Utah on Saturday, a game in which they were outrebounded 52-37 . . . It was their third consecutive loss after having won three in a row before that . . . They have a long list of injuries, including Aaron Gordon (ankle), Markelle Fultz (knee), Jonathan Isaac (knee), James Ennis (calf) and promising rookie Cole Anthony (ribs), all of whom are out for this game . . . The one weapon that the Magic do have is center Nikola Vucevic, who would be a sure-fire all-star if the Magic had a better record. He’s averaging 24.4 points and 11.6 rebounds while shooting 41 percent from 3-point range . . . Despite Vucevic’s greatness, the Magic are dead last in the league in shooting percentage at .430 . . . Another key to beating the Magic? Keep them off the free-throw line. They had just eight trips to the stripe against Utah and average less than 20 free throws per game, 26th in the league. That contributes mightily to the Magic’s offensive rating of 105.1 points per 100 possessions, 28th in the league . . . Swingman Evan Fournier returned from injury six games ago and has averaged 19 points, 4.3 assists and 4.2 rebounds since.

Twitter: @ESefko

Share and comment

More Mavs News