Orlando hosts Washington tonight at 2-4, ninth in the East and 0-3 at home. Washington, 3-3, holds sixth today, so a win would close the gap quickly.
Home has been the problem, and Sunday showed the pattern.
Boston won 108-97, and the Orlando Sentinel's Jason Beede noted the Magic remain winless at home. Orlando never led by more than 9, while Boston built a lead of 15. An 8-0 run cut the margin to 97-93 with 3:59 left, but the Celtics answered. Tristan da Silva gave the bench 23 points and 10 rebounds on 9-14 shooting, and Anthony Black matched the 23. Franz Wagner had 12 assists but went 5-20.
Washington is a fair test, not a soft landing.
The Wizards are 3-3 with a net rating of 1.2 this season, against Orlando's -8.3, both over six games. Trae Young is averaging 10.2 assists and Anthony Davis 22.3 points. Alex Sarr is day-to-day with a left knee problem. Both teams have had one day of rest, so the gap comes down to bodies and shot-making.
Help is coming, but not this week.
Jalen Suggs and Jonathan Isaac carry estimated returns of November 10. Noah Penda is estimated back on November 18 and Paolo Banchero on November 22. Orlando plays at Phoenix on November 5 and at Golden State on November 7 before anyone is due back. Until then the rotation leans on Wagner, Desmond Bane, Wendell Carter Jr., Black and da Silva.
The open question is whether Wagner's shot returns before the roster does.
Wagner is scoring 19.7 a night over six games, but his three-point mark is 19.4 percent, and Bane is at 36.8. Our tracking projects da Silva to reach 250 career threes in about nine games at his current pace, a sign of where the spacing is coming from. Orlando needs the second option to carry the half-court load, not only the bench.
When does the Magic's next game after Washington take place?
Orlando plays at the Suns on November 5, then at the Warriors on November 7.
When are Jalen Suggs and Jonathan Isaac expected back?
Both have an estimated return date of November 10. Banchero's estimate is November 22.
