NBA: Momentum top of mind as Magic welcome Mavericks

Orlando Magic star Paolo Banchero is driving the team’s push for a playoff spot, with the Magic currently sitting seventh in the Eastern Conference and aiming to avoid the play-in tournament.

Banchero’s hot streak continues to be tested. The fourth-year forward matched his season high with 37 points in a 126-109 home win over the Washington Wizards on Tuesday.

The Orlando Magic will face a Dallas Mavericks squad on Thursday that could feature rookie Cooper Flagg. Flagg, recovering from a left midfoot sprain, participated in part of Dallas’ shootaround on Tuesday and could take the court against his fellow Duke alumnus Banchero. Flagg has missed eight games and, if he plays, will likely be on a minutes restriction. He is aiming to play Friday against the Boston Celtics, the team he grew up supporting in Maine.

“He's ramping up,” Dallas coach Jason Kidd said of Flagg earlier this week. “Everything is going well. Tuesday was to kind of get back in his routine and hopefully as we go on this road trip he can get in and play a game or two.”

Orlando snapped a two-game losing streak by defeating the Wizards and will close out a four-game homestand with Dallas, who have lost 14 of their last 16 games.

“We're approaching every game as a playoff-level game,” Banchero said. “Every game counts for us at this part of the season, and we're trying to fight for position in the standings. Just coming in with that mentality and preparing the right way.”

The Magic played without injured regulars Anthony Black (right quad contusion) and Wendell Carter Jr. (left ankle soreness), both listed as questionable for Thursday. Forward Franz Wagner remains sidelined with a high left ankle sprain.

Center Goga Bitadze filled in for the second time this season, finishing with nine points, six rebounds, and three assists.

“That is the reason why Goga Bitadze is an absolute pro,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said. “He represents exactly what we need to have happen when your number is called, and he did that.”

Guard Jalen Suggs returned after missing three games with a back injury, contributing 10 points, three rebounds, nine assists, two steals, and two blocks against Washington.

The Mavericks, who began a six-game road trip with a 117-90 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday, will look to bounce back. Brandon Williams led Dallas with 18 points, though the team struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 13.6% (3 of 22), compared with Charlotte’s 39.2% (20 of 51).

“You've got shooters out there that can make threes, and they shot 51 of them tonight,” Kidd said. “For us, the positive was we got to the free-throw line 47 times. I understand if you're trading twos for threes, that's not going to put you in a situation to win. But again, we didn't shoot the three well. We created 22, made three. We have to shoot better there.”

Mavericks forward P.J. Washington returned after missing three games with an ankle injury, scoring 13 points in 28 minutes against Charlotte. Klay Thompson (right adductor contusion) and Naji Marshall (right finger contusion) are probable for Thursday, while Marvin Bagley III (neck) has been ruled out.

—Field Level Media/Reuters