The Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies begin their 2016-2017 NBA Preseason stint against each other in a game scheduled at the FedExForum on Oct. 3, Monday.
Start Time and Streaming Info
The game starts at 8:00 p.m. ET. It can be viewed live online thru the NBA League Pass.
Preview
Orlando is set to feature their new acquisitions in this match, some of which are power forward Serge Ibaka, who was acquired via a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder, and backup center Bismack Biyombo and versatile forward Jeff Green, who were both signed in free-agency.
Aside from new players, the Magic also has a new head coach in former Indiana Pacers mentor Frank Vogel. Vogel was named Orlando's chief bench tactician in May as he replaced Scott Skiles, who resigned from the position also that month after claiming that he was "not the right head coach" for the team.
Last season, the Magic did not qualify for the fourth straight postseason after finishing 11th in the East with a 35-47 record. The team is hoping that Vogel can turn things around this upcoming season and the offseason moves put high expectations on the current squad.
Victor Olapido and Ersan İlyasova are now out after the trade with the Thunder and so Evan Fournier and Ibaka replaced them in the starting lineup. Slam Dunk sensation will be starting at the small forward spot and is expected to play a key role moving forward.
Nikola Vucevic and Biyombo will compete for minutes at the starting center position and the preseason is a great avenue for Vogel to find out the compatibility of his rotation.
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies are injury-plagued at the moment but the good news is Marc Gasol and Mike Conley were already cleared to play this upcoming season.
The starters remain the same with the Big Three of Gasol, Conley, and Zach Randolph manning the center, point guard, and power forward spots plus defensive wizard Tony Allen at shooting guard. The biggest addition was Chandler Parsons, who joined via free-agency this summer, at the small forward, although he is also coming off an injury and is expected to be slowly integrated to Memphis' rotation.
Memphis also has a new head coach in former Miami Heat assistant David Fizdale. Fizdale was named Grizzlies head coach in May, replacing the fired Dave Joerger.
Prediction
Vogel is projected to test the full strength of his roster early in the preseason. Fizdale may not play Gasol, Conley, and Parsons as the three are still recuperating from their respective injuries. Expect more playing time from the bench players in this match. Orlando is predicted to pick up a road victory in this game.
