Dallas at Orlando

Time: 6 PM CT (NBA LP)

Spread: ORL -7

Total: 214.5

Odds c/o 5dimes

DAL TEAM NOTES:

The Dallas Mavericks have lost nine of its last 10, and at 27-37, the team is scarcely a threat to make the postseason—but things have probably never been more promising for Mavericks supporters, at least in recent history. The team is nearly mathematically eliminated from the postseason, but Luka Doncic is keeping fans packing the seats./

Not only has Luka Doncic shown all the signs of being a true superstar (a 19-year-old one at that), but the Mavs also recently acquired Kristaps Porzingis from the Knicks. While Porzingis is unlikely to suit up this season, if he returns anywhere close to his full form, the Mavericks will possess one of the most unique and talented young duos in the league.

Doncic has been nothing short of incredible. He is averaging 20.7 points and 5.6 assists, playing a point-forward role as one of the most talented playmakers to come into the league in recent history. The Mavericks also parted ways with Harrison Barnes who never really fulfilled the expectations the Mavericks had for him. In his place, the Mavericks now have Tim Hardaway Jr, who was acquired as part of the Porzingis trade.

It cost the Mavericks the young and talented Dennis Smith, Jr, but he had grown increasingly disgruntled with his diminished role in Dallas’ offense. DeAndre Jordan also headed to New York, which left the Mavericks with something of a hole at the center position, but there are enough talented 4-men to fill the spot for the remainder of this season. While Dallas will not make the playoffs this year, it would be hard to count them out from doing so next season when Porzingis makes his return.

ORL TEAM NOTES:

The Orlando Magic might finally be turning the corner after six long-suffering seasons since the departure of former three-time Defensive Player of the Year, Dwight Howard. The team has gone through four coaches, but it finally found its man in Steve Clifford. Clifford said prior to the season if he could manage to coach the Magic to a top-10 defensive rating the team would make the playoffs. The Magic have done just that: It is now ranked No. 10 in defensive rating and knocking on the door of postseason contention.

Instrumental in all this has been the play of All-Star center Nikola Vucevic. “Vooch” is in a contract year and will be a free agent that many teams will covet after this season. With Orlando grooming Mo Bamba (but also with him being nowhere near ready for big minutes), it will be a matter of intrigue to see what the front office decides to do with regard to Vucevic. Ostensibly, he has been the primary reason for Orlando’s successes this season, but the Magic are still not deluded enough to discard the idea that the team is rebuilding. Bamba has shown flashes, but he needs to add a lot of bulk to match up with NBA centers. His shot blocking is a skill that is always useful, but he often looks confused on offense. Right now? He is sitting out with a stress fracture, though it is not expected to require surgery.

Outside of Vucevic, Aaron Gordon has become more consistent, and Terrence Ross is probably the chic pick for Sixth Man of the Year as a total flamethrower who has bailed out the Magic on numerous occasions during scoring droughts. Ross, too, is a free agent after this season. The Magic might look promising now, but it is a team that will have many decisions to make.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Issac and Wesley Iwundu are blossoming in their sophomore seasons. Isaac had an 18-point first half in the Magic’s most recent victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. He finished with 20 points and three blocks, displaying the two-way dominance that the Magic thought he would when it selected him No. 6 overall out of Florida State.

Iwundu’s contributions tend to be often intangible, but Clifford rightly dubbed Wesley the team’s best perimeter defender and he should have a long career if only because of his energy and defensive talents. The Magic are really rounding into shape, and once the team upgrades its point guard position from DJ Augustin, it really might be a middle-tier contender. That is all ignoring the fact that the future point guard may already be in tow: Markelle Fultz was acquired from the 76ers and should debut soon.