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The Orlando Magic are the most efficient NBA team in the fourth quarter since December – Basketball Insiders

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2 months ago

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If your team is playing against Orlando lately and you feel confident as they are winning the game in the third quarter – watch out! The Magic are casting their best spells in the final streches of the match, as they are the season’s best performing in the final quarter since December started. 

They might be one of the league’s weakest teams of the campaign, but incredibly no one plays better than the Florida side during the fourth quarter. Since December 1st, the Magic are the only team in the league that has a top five offensive rating and top five defensive rating in the final frame!

During these past 26 games, their offensive rank 3rd best in the league with a 121.1 rating, whereas their defensive is tied at 4th place with a 107.9 rating. Compared to last season, the Magic had a fourth-quarter rating of 110.6 (16th best) and a 111.6 defensive rating (19th in the league).

This just goes to show the impact of coach Jamahl Mosley’s progress so far, as the team decided to give him another chance and trust the process after Orlando finished last in the Eastern Conference after the 2021/22 regular season with a 22-60 record. Today, they are still at the lower end of their conference (13th place) but at least they are already three victories away from reaching the same amount they managed last year.

Magic’s headcoach says it’s all about the transition and energy on the court. “I really think what it is, we are allowing the defense to spark that offense,” Mosley said. “Coming down the stretch, getting stops, being able to get out on the break and get easy baskets. We talk to our guys about that a ton. Getting stops down the stretch, getting three stops in a row in order to get out on the break.”

Another impressive stat is how poorly Orlando has performed over turnovers this campaign, as they rank 23rd in that regard. Nevertheless, this has not been a problem in the last quarter. Ever since December started, they are the team who average less turnovers in the fourth, with only 2.6.

The Magic have become experts at keeping their opponents on the petimeter when defending, as stats prove their rival teams average the second fewest field goal attempts within five feet of the basket. And subsequently as they attack, they average the second most from 25 to 29 feet away with a shot efficiency of 30.4% on those long-range attempts.

You can watch below a perfect example of this winning formula on Orlando’s last game out, as they beat the Indiana Pacers (126-120) with an inspired Paolo Banchero:

Lately the player who most embodies this amazing fourth-quarter-surge in the Magic camp is german player Franz Wagner, as the 21-year-old is dropping 46.2% on floor shots and 45.5% when trying from behind the arc.

“I think that’s why you play basketball. Those important plays, important moments – but I think to win a game is not just scoring the ball,” Wagner said. “I think you have to do a lot – a lot of small little things as a group.”

Most of our favorite sport betting sites do not consider Orlando to even have possibilities of making it to the conference’s playoffs at this point. Do you believe they still have a chance standing 13th in the East?





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LeBron James eyeing a return for LA’s final three games

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March 23, 2023

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LeBron James has played just two games for the Lakers since returning from the all-star break. He’s missed their last 12 consecutive games in a row and has played in 47 of their 73 games so far this season. The injury bug has hit him hard this year and luck has not been on his side. Reports from multiple league sources today say there is optimism that LeBron might return for the Lakers’ final three games of the regular season. He was just recently cleared to resume on-court activities. 

At least three different league sources have reported on LeBron making a return, but the Lakers themselves have not released an official statement yet. The team is 36-37 and holds the tenth spot in the Western Conference and is right on the edge of missing the play-in tournament.

James is out of a walking boot and that is a good sign for Lakers fans. A deep postseason run does not seem likely for LA this season. California Sports Betting sites have the Lakers at (+1800) to win the Finals this season.

Reports say that LeBron James is eyeing a return for the Lakers’ final three games of the regular season

LeBron James last played for the Lakers on 2/26 in their 111-108 win. He’s missed the last 12 games in a row foot tendon injury, but reports around the league say there is optimism he could return for the team’s final three games of the regular season.

At 38, his body is not what it used to be and the injuries have piled up for James this season. He’s not able to bounce back as quickly as he used to and has not had great luck this season. If he returns for the final three games of the regular season, Lebron could be looking at 4/5 vs the Clippers as the target date.

A lot still has to go right for James as he’s still recovering. Shams Charania reported today that he’s resumed on-court activities and that’s a positive sign for him moving forward. The Lakers are a better team when LeBron plays, but they are still without him for the foreseeable future as no real timeline has been announced yet.





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Pistons’ Rookie of the Year contender Jaden Ivey excited to be ‘learning the game’ in Detroit – Basketball Insiders

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March 23, 2023

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Young Jaden Ivey is among the top 5 players racing for this year’s Rookie of the Year award, with Orlando’s Paolo Banchero and Oklahoma City’s Jalen Williams leading the ladder. And especially when you are young, it’s common to be compared to other NBA greats while you are figuring yourself out on a professional basketball court. 

Sometimes these comparisons can be simply for amusement, or even revealing, as Banchero has been contrasted with Blake Griffin or Indiana’s Bennedict Mathurin with current Bulls’ star DeMar DeRozan. In Ivey’s case, it’s hard not to set him side by side with veteran star Russell Westbrook.

And it’s not just because of the way he plays on the floor, but also his stats makes us reminisce on a young Westbrook. For example, in his rookie year back in 2008/09 season, he averaged 32.5 minutes, 15.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 3.3 turnovers, 1.3 steals, and 2.3 fouls.

As for Ivey’s current campaign stats average 30.4 minutes, 15.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 3.0 turnovers, 0.8 steals, and 3.2 fouls. See any resemblance in both players? Maybe Russell was a bit stronger when defending, but most of his other stats are almost identical.

Apparently, nothing about this is coincidental, as Detroit assistant coach Rex Kalamian, who worked for Oklahoma City during Westbrook’s second professional season in 2009/10 and beyond, actually took Ivey to work out with the Clippers star at the same gym in Los Angeles during the offseason.

“It’s great to be compared to a Hall of Famer,” Ivey said. “I have loved his game since I was a young kid. I’ve watched a lot of his film, to take stuff and add it to my game. I’m trying to be a great myself, so I’ve got to stay level-headed and keep working. But to be compared to Russell Westbrook is a blessing.”

Ivey only had great things to say about how Westbrook was generous when they practiced together, always sharing insights that the 21-year-old might encounter through the NBA. “I cherished it, being able to get some of his knowledge,” Ivey added.

The 34-year-old Clippers player earned an All-Rookie selection in his first year and ended up 4th in the Kia Rookie of the Year voting. It seems the Detroit youngster is following his steps, as he’s currently fifth in the rookie race and will most probably be chosen for the final selected squad.

Ivey assures he keeps learning new things about the sport daily

“This season has been everything,” Ivey admitted. “I’ve been learning the NBA day-by-day. It’s what I dreamed of doing — it’s a blessing and I love it. It’s tough losing a lot of games, but I get to compete on the highest level. Win or lose, I’m learning the game.”

One of his best performances of the campaign so far was just two weeks ago against the Wizards, as he dropped 26 points, won 5 rebounds and handed out 12 assists for Detroit.

Check out the highlights from that match as the Wizards beat the Pistons on March 7:

The player has been growing in confidence throughout the season, and now seems to have become a regular starter for the Pistons.

“Shoot, you’ve got to give something with me,” the 21-year-old said. “My speed is my greatest asset and I use that. I feel like I can beat anybody to the basket. I feel I’ve made strides as a passer and being able to see a second defender. Being able to make that right read, that’s what’s going to put my teammates in the position to succeed.”





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Providence Basketball Hires Kim English As Head Coach

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March 23, 2023

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Providence is hiring ex-George Mason coach Kim English as head coach, according to sources. This news comes days after Ed Cooley’s departure for Georgetown. English is expected to sign a six-year contract. Cooley led the Friars to seven NCAA Tournament appearances.

While with George Mason, the former NBA player coached the Patriots to a 34-29 (.540) overall record from 2021 to 2023. In the 2021-22 season, George Mason finished 14-16, 7-9 in the Atlantic 10.

Upon further review of multiple March Madness betting sites, Providence lost 61-53 against Kentucky in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, and now No. 3 Gonzaga, No. 6 Creighton, and No. 4 UConn have better odds to win the National Championship.

This past season, the Patriots went 20-13 outright and 11-7 against conference opponents. They won their final six games of the regular season. On May 17, 2015, English began his coaching career as an assistant basketball coach under Frank Haith at the University of Tulsa. After earning enough experience, he left in 2017.

English, the 2012 Big 12 Tournament Most Outstanding Player, then went on to coach under Tad Boyle for the University of Colorado-Boulder from 2017 through 2019. English replaced Jean Prioleau, who accepted a head coach job at San Jose State.

Providence basketball hires former Georgetown coach Kim English as head coach, replacing Ed Cooley

From 2019 to 2021, English served as an assistant coach for Rick Barnes at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. The Maryland native replaced Rob Lanier, who went on to become the next head coach for Georgia State.

Moreover, it would seem that English was a better NCAA player than head coach. However, the University of Missouri alumnus still has an above-.500 record as a coach. So, perhaps this is a decent hire for Providence.

Through 141 appearances and four seasons as a guard at Missouri, English averaged 11.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.1 steals, and 24.2 minutes per game. Plus, he shot 42% from the floor and 39.4% beyond the arc.

During his senior 2011-12 season, the young star logged career highs of 14.5 points, 4.2 boards, and 33.6 minutes per contest. English was selected 2012 All-Big 12 Tournament First Team and was named 2012 Big 12 Tournament MVP. Will the former Georgetown coach succeed with Providence? Friars fans are mixed right now.

Check Out More of Our March Madness College Gambling 2023 Guides





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