3 Things to Keep an Eye on, Odds and Predi

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Season series: Tonight in Memphis; February 21 in Orlando
Season series 2024: Grizzlies 107, Magic 106 at Memphis on Jan. 26; Magic 118, Grizzlies 88 in Orlando on March 30

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At this stage of the season everything feels very difficult. Teams are still figuring out their identity and figuring out what works and what doesn't with new players or new dynamics within the team. This also includes a team with a lot of carries like the Orlando Magic.

The Magic continue to rebuild their defensive identity. That was a big piece of the puzzle in the Orlando Magic's 116-101 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Friday. Even though their offense struggled to generate much traction, the defense was still solid and did a lot of work to set up the offense to keep the team in control and staying afloat.

Orlando should feel like their defense is on the move and will be there no matter how things turn out.

The Memphis Grizzlies are still figuring out who they are. They have played some games at breakneck speed this season, but have struggled to demonstrate the depth needed to sustain them. A 20-point loss to the Houston Rockets could be a dose of reality — or evidence that the Memphis Grizzlies are no longer the juggernaut they were before Ja Morant's suspension and injury.

With both teams competing and on the road, no one can imagine how this game will turn out. The Magic may have established the more trustworthy solution to their defense.

3. Consecutive problems

The Orlando Magic have talked throughout the preseason about their improved maturity and understanding of the value of every game. The way the team has approached the season has looked like this so far. Franz Wagner said about Friday's win that the team could have played better and didn't play at the team's high level.

A big focus of the team is on making up for last year's weaknesses – especially winning on the road. One area where they could do a lot better then is back-to-back wins.

The Magic went 5-10 for the second straight night last year (1-12 in 2023). The more concerning aspect of this record, however, was that the Magic's defensive rating dropped from 110.8 overall to 116.1 when they had no rest days.

Some decline is certainly to be expected on defense. But that massive decline given Orlando's poor offense last year was a big reason the Magic struggled in those scenarios. It's huge to see the Magic getting better defensively, even if some slip-ups are to be expected.

These are hidden victories and the Magic need to find a way to win more games for the second night in a row. This certainly won't be easy.

2. Ja Morant's return

The Memphis Grizzlies are one of the most difficult teams to evaluate due to their history and the talent they have on the roster. After all, it was only two seasons ago that the Grizzlies won 51 games and were the runner-up in the Western Conference.

Ja Morant's suspension and injury derailed their season last year, dropping them to 27-55. They have changed some aspects of their squad and given opportunities to many young players. This year's team is a mix of the team that won two years ago and the young group that ruled the roost last year. Which team will Memphis be this year?

This is not yet clear in the regular season. The Memphis Grizzlies earned a narrow win over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday before losing 128-108 to the Houston Rockets on Friday.

All eyes are clearly on Ja Morant as he works his way back into the side. And he's already had some standout moments: He averaged 23.0 points per game and shot 51.7 percent (15-for-29) early in the season. Last but not least, he added 6.0 assists per game. Morant is still every bit the dynamic player that has been the catalyst for the Grizzlies in recent years.

But he had major problems with turnovers and turned it over nine times in two games. Memphis as a whole has struggled with turnover. This is the big thing that the magicians are experts at enforcing. And so how Orlando handles Morant will be an important piece of the puzzle for this game.

1. Franz Wagner's shooting revival

While Friday's game brought a lot of frustration with the incoherence of the game and especially the offense, Franz Wagner continues to impress and continues to perform well for the Orlando Magic.

Wagner scored 29 points for the Magic in the win over the Brooklyn Nets, making 10 of 19 shots and adding six rebounds and five assists. He was confident going downhill and worked well even in cut off sections.

The biggest growth, however, is what Magic fans have been most worried about throughout the offseason. Wagner made three of six 3-pointers in Friday's game, his second game with that mark. With two games under their belt, everyone is cautiously optimistic that Wagner's 3-point shooting is no longer a cause for concern.

Wagner has clearly adjusted his form, using a more traditional form instead of the push-shot form he has used the last two years. There may still be some inconsistencies with his bow, but he shoots confidently now and it has clearly done wonders for him.

It's still early for everything. Nobody should write anything in ink during two games. But this was an encouraging development. And with Wagner anchoring the second unit, his constant pressure on and off the rim could make the Magic's bench even more dangerous.