Published on: Mar 22, 2022 1:40 pm IST|Updated on: Aug 6, 2022 10:03 am IST
ORL vs GSW Dream11: NBA Playoffs are going to arrive soon and we are bound to see the intensity pick up only further. The increase in intensity means that we are going to see a lot of mid-tier to bottom teams give more fight to the top seeds. And when we talk about the NBA, of course, there is the phantom of injury that constantly nags players. And this is why the scenario shifts every now and then, which causes ripples among multiple squads. On that note, let us jump into the game between the Orlando Magic and the Golden State Warriors.
The Magic has been among the bottom three teams for most of the season and the inability to win stems from an inexperienced lineup. Despite the lack of success, the team has been able to develop some of the young uns, who have a long way to go. Overall, this was expected from the rebuilding Magic squad.
On the other hand, the Warriors have not been as stellar as they were during the first two-three months of the season and the injury to Curry certainly creates a hole in the lineup. Despite that huge loss, there is a relief with the return of Draymond Green, but it remains to be seen how he will respond after a long layoff due to injury.
Host: Orlando Magic Visitors: Golden State Warriors Match Timing: 23 March, @ 04:30 AM Venue: Amway Center
Roster complexions
The Orlando Magic won 90:85 against the Oklahoma Thunder and despite a poor shooting performance, they banked on a 30 points and 16 rebounds performance by Wendell Carter Jr.
After being horrendous for 75% of the season, Orlando has done a much more decent job of putting up a fight these days and one thing is for sure, the squad wasn’t expected to do much from the beginning, so any winning window means that there has been some growth in the squad. There is a lingering sense that Orlando may be in the rebuild territory for a few more seasons unless the team brings in some star-level or superstar-level player next season. The next offseason is crucial for Orlando.
If we talk about the lineup, the most consistent defender, scorer, and rebounder has been Wendell Carter Jr. lately whose terrific performances on both ends bring a huge promise. On the other hand, even though rookie Franz Wagner has been a bit inconsistent lately, he has the potential to become an all-around star. Meanwhile, the backcourt of Cole Anthony and Jalen Suggs can have some troubles with the shot selection but they have shown potential as a strong backcourt pairing being both playmakers and scorers. Mo Bamba has been having a decent season in the middle but will need to bring more post moves or become a better shooter from outside.
The Warriors head into this game after losing a close 108:110 encounter versus the Spurs as Keldon Johnson sunk in a shot in the dying moments.
The Warriors have been struck by a thunderbolt as their leading scorer and the league’s top three-point shooter in Stephen Curry has been sidelined indefinitely. Lately, the team has lost the second rank in the West and now the Grizzlies have taken over the position. The Warriors were one of the most red-hot teams earlier in the season and at one point, they had lodged 29 wins and seven losses, which made for one of the two best records in the league at that time. Since then the Warriors have lost 17 and won 18 games, which means that they have been an average squad since then.
One of the major reasons that they fell off was due to the absence of Draymond Green, someone who is the defensive anchor of the team while also giving more than quality playmaking. Coming back to the present, the Warriors without Curry can still field an effective squad with two sharp scorers in Jordan Poole and Klay Thompson in the backcourt. Wiggins, Porter Jr., and Kuminga are three superb wing players and with Green back, the defense will be tight while the team will also have an additional playmaker. Kevon Looney will be vital as a scorer and rebounder. So, what can the Warriors do with the current unit?
Orlando Magic (15th in the East) | Golden State Warriors (3rd in the West) Games: 72| 71 Wins: 19 | 47 Defeats: 53 | 24
Orlando Magic Team News
Magic Expected Starting Five Wing: SF: Franz Wagner Frontline: PF: Wendell Carter Jr. | C: Mo Bamba Guards: SG: RJ Hampton | PG: Cole Anthony
Bench: Terrence Ross, Chuma Okeke, Gary Harris, Moritz Wagner, Robin Lopez, Ignas Brazdeikis, Admiral Schofield.
Golden State Warriors Team News
Warriors Expected Starting Five Wing: SF: Andrew Wiggins
Middle: C: Kevon Looney | PF: Draymond Green Guards: PG: Jordan Poole | SG: Klay Thompson
BENCH: Moses Moody, Damion Lee, Gary Payton II, Otto Porter Jr., Juan Toscano-Anderson, Jonathan Kuminga, Chris Chiozza, Nemanja Bjelica.
Wendell Carter Jr.(ORL) Points: 30 Rebounds: 16 Assists: 02 Steals: 02 Blocks: 01 Wendell has perhaps been the best Magic player this season and his brilliant defense, amazing rebounding, and constantly developing offensive game are all treat to watch. He has mostly been in 13-20 points, 8-12 rebounds, 2-4 assists range lately. The big can be chosen as a Star/Pro Player in the Dream 11 NBA Fantasy scenario. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 30-48
Jordan Poole(GSW) Points: 28 Rebounds: 05 Assists: 03 With Curry out of the fray, iso specialist Jordan will have the keys to the ballhandling duties and there is no doubt that he can answer the call. The high-scoring Guard can be expected to be in 23-30 points and 3-5 assists range. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 28-39
Cole Anthony(ORL) Points: 06 Rebounds: 02 Assists: 07 Blocks: 01 Cole is the primary ball-handler, primary playmaker, and also the leading scorer for the Magic. The second-season Guard has mostly been in 15-19 points, 5-7 assists, and 4-6 rebounds range. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 23-36
Franz Wagner(ORL) Points: 11 Rebounds: 07 Assists: 04 Steals: 02 Blocks: 01 Rookie wing Franz has hit a rather cold stretch shooting-wise after starting on a hot note but hey, it is an understandable stretch for a young un. The SF has mostly been in 11-16 points and 5-7 rebounds range lately. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 18-29
Klay Thompson(GSW) Points: 24 Rebounds: 03 Assists: 00 Steals: 01 Klay has continued to be an effective scorer and his presence is even more crucial with the absence of his buddy Curry. The Guard has mostly been in 17-23 points and 3-5 rebounds range. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 25-33
Andrew Wiggins(GSW) Points: 16 Rebounds: 08 Assists: 02 Steals: 02 Wing Andrew is crucial to the Warriors’ scheme on both ends of the floor and like Poole and Thompson, he will be pivotal for the team with Curry’s absence. The wing has mostly been in 14-18 point and 4-8 rebounds range these days. He is QUESTIONABLE for the game. Expected Fantasy Points Range: 23-38
(If Wiggins plays) PG: R Hampton SG: K Thompson, J Poole(PP) SF: A Wiggins, F Wagner PF: W Carter(SP) C: D Green, M Bamba
(If Wiggins doesn’t play) PG: C Anthony SG: K Thompson, J Poole(PP) SF: F Wagner PF: W Carter(SP) C: D Green, M Wagner, M Bamba
Don’t you wanna watch Thompson raining it from deep or Wendell Carter Jr. battling versus another rugged player in Draymond Green? In not the most encouraging piece of news for Indian NBA fans, the two designated streaming services in Voot and JIO TV will not showcase this game. So what option is left then? You’d need to download or access the NBA League Pass and if you buy the annual subscription, you can view all the games and also their full game replays. For knowing the scores, news, and stats, go to the official website of the NBA.