Minnesota Timberwolves (6-8, 12th in the Western Conference) vs. Orlando Magic (4-10, 13th in the Eastern Conference)
Orlando, Florida; Wednesday, 7 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic host Karl-Anthony Towns and the Minnesota Timberwolves in out-of-conference action.
The Magic are 4-4 in home games. Orlando allows 112.4 points and has been outscored by 2.4 points per game.
The Timberwolves are 2-3 in road games. Minnesota has a 3-7 record against teams over .500.
TOP PERFORMERS: Banchero is shooting 46.1% and averaging 23.5 points for the Magic. Terrence Ross is averaging 1.6 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Orlando.
D'Angelo Russell is averaging 14.4 points and 6.3 assists for the Timberwolves. Towns is averaging 21.3 points over the last 10 games for Minnesota.
LAST 10 GAMES: Magic: 4-6, averaging 111.1 points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks per game while shooting % from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.1 points per game.
Timberwolves: 4-6, averaging 113.7 points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks per game while shooting % from the field. Their opponents have averaged 116.6 points.
INJURIES: Magic: Jonathan Isaac: out (knee), Cole Anthony: out (oblique), Gary Harris: out (knee), Paolo Banchero: day to day (ankle), Markelle Fultz: out (toe), Moritz Wagner: out (ankle).
Timberwolves: Naz Reid: day to day (illness).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
GAME LINES
PICK: ORL MAGIC +5.5
ANALYSIS: The Minnesota Timberwolves are the better team on paper, and they can’t afford to lose games like this if they’re going to live up to expectations. However, the Timberwolves aren’t playing well and excuse me if I’m not excited to lay points with them on the road.