Overview
- Tip is 4 p.m. Pacific at Orlando’s Kia Center with Portland 5-4 and Orlando 4-6.
- Orlando plays the second night of a back-to-back after a 111-107 loss to Boston, while Portland opened its five-game trip with a 136-131 defeat in Miami.
- Paolo Banchero (22.8 ppg) and Franz Wagner (22.3) lead Orlando’s scoring as the team works to integrate Desmond Bane, who is at 14.2 ppg and roughly 30% from three early.
- The Blazers are 5-3 since Chauncey Billups was placed on leave, with Deni Avdija averaging 25.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.9 assists and posting 33-11-8 against the Heat.
- Both teams push pace but rank below average from three; injuries include Scoot Henderson, Damian Lillard, Matisse Thybulle and Blake Wesley out for Portland, with Moritz Wagner and Jalen Suggs out for Orlando.