Orlando plays Washington, looks to stop home slide

Updated Jan. 9, 2022 3:02 a.m. ET

Associated Press

Washington Wizards (19-20, ninth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Orlando Magic (7-32, 15th in the Eastern Conference)

Orlando, Florida; Sunday, 6 p.m. EST

LINE: Magic -6.5

BOTTOM LINE: Orlando aims to end its six-game home slide with a victory against Washington.

The Magic are 1-8 in division games. Orlando is eighth in the Eastern Conference with 34.3 defensive rebounds per game led by Wendell Carter Jr. averaging 8.1.

The Wizards are 13-13 against Eastern Conference opponents. Washington has a 7-2 record in games decided by less than 4 points.

The teams meet for the second time this season. In the last meeting on Nov. 14 the Wizards won 104-92 led by 23 points from Spencer Dinwiddie, while Cole Anthony scored 22 points for the Magic.

TOP PERFORMERS: Gary Harris averages 1.5 made 3-pointers per game for the Magic, scoring 10.8 points while shooting 35.5% from beyond the arc. Anthony is averaging 19.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists over the past 10 games for Orlando.

Bradley Beal is averaging 24.1 points and 6.4 assists for the Wizards. Kyle Kuzma is averaging 19.9 points over the last 10 games for Washington.

LAST 10 GAMES: Magic: 2-8, averaging 102.6 points, 42.7 rebounds, 22.1 assists, 7.3 steals and 4.6 blocks per game while shooting 42.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.8 points per game.

Wizards: 4-6, averaging 112.5 points, 43.0 rebounds, 25.3 assists, 7.1 steals and 4.3 blocks per game while shooting 48.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.2 points.

INJURIES: Magic: Jalen Suggs: out (thumb), Jonathan Isaac: out (knee), E'Twaun Moore: out (knee), Michael Carter-Williams: out (left ankle), Franz Wagner: day to day (ankle), Markelle Fultz: out (knee), Wendell Carter Jr.: out (hamstring), Cole Anthony: day to day (ankle), Robin Lopez: out (health and safety protocols).

Wizards: Davis Bertans: day to day (foot), Anthony Gill: out (health and safety protocols), Tremont Waters: day to day (health protocols), Rui Hachimura: day to day (reconditioning), Montrezl Harrell: day to day (health and safety protocols), Thomas Bryant: out (left knee).

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