The Phoenix Suns (26-19, 6th in Western Conference) play their third matchup of a seven-game road trip tonight against the Orlando Magic (23-22, 8th in Eastern Conference) in the teams’ second meeting this season. These two teams played in Phoenix on New Year’s Eve, as the Suns defeated the Magic 112-107 behind 31 points from Kevin Durant.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Suns enter tonight after blowing a 17-point lead to the Indiana Pacers Friday and falling 133-131 despite a season-high 62 points from Devin Booker. This game snapped a seven-game win streak for the Suns. The Magic, who started off the season on fire, have lost four of their last five games and have been struggling overall since their strong beginning to the season. They last fell 107-106 to the Memphis Grizzlies Friday night despite 27 points from Paolo Banchero.
Local Game Information
Start Time: 4:00 p.m. MST
Location: Kia Center
TV Channel: 3TV/AZ Family
Radio: Arizona Sports 98.7 FM, La Mejor 106.5 FM
Stream: Suns Live (click for more info)
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) January 28, 2024
Betting Odds
Line: PHX -2.5
O/U: 226.5
Injury Report
Phoenix Suns: Bradley Beal (nasal fracture) AVAILABLE | Jusuf Nurkić (left thumb sprain) OUT | Bol Bol (right foot sprain) OUT | Damion Lee (right meniscus surgery) OUT
Orlando Magic: Gary Harris (right calf strain) OUT
Starters
Phoenix Suns: Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Grayson Allen, Kevin Durant, Drew Eubanks
Orlando Magic: Markelle Fultz, Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, Wendell Carter Jr.
Five Keys to Game for Suns
- Need help from role players
- Building off leads
- Slowing down Paolo Banchero
- How will they perform down low without Jusuf Nurkić?
- Not allowing points in the paint
Prediction
Suns 110 – Magic 103
The Suns might have some shortcomings this game without Nurkić, but the Big 3 has been in such a groove as of late it shouldn’t matter too much. It was very obvious what Phoenix did wrong last game in terms of turnovers, allowed points in the paint and allowed offensive rebounds, so they should be able to correct these mistakes tonight. We will see how healthy Bradley Beal really is, but if he’s 80% or better, the Suns should pull off the win tonight against a struggling Magic team.
Flashback: Last Meeting (Dec. 31, 2023)
Team Matchup Notes
Here are some stats, notes and everything else to know about the Suns and Magic before their second matchup of the season (via Suns):
Each team’s stats (via Suns):
Preview: Team injury reports
Statuses of Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkić revealed ahead of matchup at Magic
Preview: Key stories from loss to Pacers
4th Quarter Woes and Controversial Calls Fuel Loss to Indiana Pacers
Devin Booker breaks Gainbridge Fieldhouse scoring record in loss to Pacers
Jusuf Nurkić not happy with officiating following Suns loss to Pacers
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Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau
