New Jersey Nets vs. Orlando Magic: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread and More
The New Jersey Nets are taking on the Orlando Magic tonight in a game that will have a more focus on the future than the play on the court.
It’s well-known that the Nets covet Magic center Dwight Howard, and the big man has no qualms with being traded there to join his buddy Deron Williams.
Will this impact their performances tonight?
Keep reading to find out.
Where: Amway Center, Orlando, FL
When: Thursday, Dec. 29 at 7:00 p.m. EST
Watch: FSFL
Listen: WFAN 660 AM—New Jersey, WDBO 580 AM—Orlando
Betting Line: Magic -11.5
Nets
C Brook Lopez—OUT (Foot)
F Jordan Williams—QST (Dehydration)
Magic
G/F DeAndre Liggins—QST (Foot)
F/C Ryan Anderson—PRB (Shoulder)
What's At Stake?
Both teams are 1-1 on the year right now and need this win and stay on the path to a successful season.
The two teams have been linked in trade talk for Dwight Howard, and the Magic are hoping they can win to convince him to stay, while New Jersey is hoping to steal a game and prove they are a team worthy of him joining and signing an extension with.
The big man will be the focal point of this game. Expect to hear chatter about the trade request all throughout the night.
What They're Saying
Colin Stephenson at The Star-Ledger caught up with Deron Williams. He believes that Kris Humphries, a hated man around the league for his reality show and short-lived marriage with Kim Kardashian, won’t be the only player booed tonight.
""I feel like we’re gonna get booed pretty good tonight,'' Williams said. "I have a feeling. I have a feeling that Kris Humphries is not going to be the only one getting booed tonight.''
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Stephenson also reported that Williams had dinner with Howard, further fueling speculation that the star PG is pitching the center on joining him in New Jersey for a future in Brooklyn.
""Since he’s been in the league, every time he comes to town, we go eat dinner and just kick it,'' Howard said after the Magic's shootaround today. "We’ve been friends since the Olympics, and so we go out to eat, have a bite.''
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Nets Player to Watch: Deron Williams
D-Will is one of the best point guards in the game right now, but he needs to play at a high-level more consistently.
When the Atlanta Hawks smoked the Nets in their second game, he only managed 10 points with one assist compared to six turnovers.
Magic Player to Watch: Dwight Howard
This is going to be an emotional game for Dwight, as everyone knows he requested a trade, and New Jersey was one of the places he would prefer to end up.
Fans are going to try and persuade him into staying by cheering and being especially vocal in their support.
Key Matchup: Dwight Howard vs. New Jersey bigs.
Howard should have no problem dominating this game. The Nets’ starting center, Brook Lopez, is out with an injury, and their second best player in the paint is Kris Humphries.
It’s quite a lopsided matchup, so tune in to see if the three-time reigning Defensive Player of the Year goes off.
Prediction
Magic 109, Nets 85
