The Orlando Magic, clinging to a playoff spot in the East, travel west to face the rebuilding Portland Trail Blazers in a cross-conference matchup. Orlando’s defense has been a strength, but injuries to key players could test their depth against a Portland team that’s shown flashes of competitiveness at home. This pre-Christmas game could be decided by rebounding and perimeter shooting, with both squads hovering around mid-pack scoring. Below is a detailed analysis.
Venue Location
Moda Center, Portland, OR. This 19,393-seat arena, formerly known as the Rose Garden, has been Portland’s home since 1995 and features a passionate fanbase that could energize the underdog Blazers.
Tipoff is scheduled for 10:00 p.m. ET (7:00 p.m. PT local time). The game will be televised on KUNP (for Portland viewers) and FDSFL (for Orlando), with streaming available via NBA League Pass.
Injury Report
Orlando is dealing with significant absences in the frontcourt and backcourt, while Portland’s key forward is questionable.
Updates as of morning game day:
| Team | Player | Position | Status | Injury Details |
| Orlando Magic | Franz Wagner | F | Out | Left ankle sprain (high sprain; out 2-4 weeks, suffered Dec. 8) |
| Orlando Magic | Moritz Wagner | C | Out | Left knee partial meniscus tear |
| Orlando Magic | Jalen Suggs | G | Doubtful | Right hip strain (expected out until at least Dec. 23) |
| Orlando Magic | Tristan da Silva | F | Questionable | Right shoulder soreness |
| Portland Trail Blazers | Jerami Grant | F | Doubtful | Left Achilles tendon soreness |
| Portland Trail Blazers | Javonte Cooke | G | Out | G League – Two-Way |
| Portland Trail Blazers | Robert Williams III | C | Out | Illness (ruled out for recent games; status unclear but likely sidelined) |
| Portland Trail Blazers | Yang Hansen | C | Out | Face injury (ruled out for recent matchups) |
Orlando’s offense takes a hit without the Wagner brothers, forcing more reliance on Paolo Banchero. Portland could exploit mismatches if Grant sits, thinning their wing defense.
Player Matchups
This game highlights battles between emerging stars and versatile forwards, with rebounding and three-point shooting likely key.
Paolo Banchero (ORL) vs. Deni Avdija (POR): Banchero (20.9 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 4.5 APG) brings scoring and playmaking; Avdija (25.5 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 6.5 APG) leads Portland and could match his physicality, but Banchero’s efficiency gives Orlando an edge.
Desmond Bane (ORL) vs. Shaedon Sharpe (POR): Bane (19 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 4.6 APG) steps up as a primary scorer with injuries; Sharpe (22.1 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.6 SPG) offers athleticism and defense, potentially disrupting Orlando’s perimeter.
Anthony Black (ORL) vs. Jerami Grant (POR): Black (13.8 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 3.3 APG) fills in at guard; Grant (20 PPG, 4 RPG, 2.7 APG), if playing, brings veteran scoring but Achilles issues may limit him.
Wendell Carter Jr. (ORL) vs. Donovan Clingan (POR): Carter Jr. (12.3 PPG, 7.5 RPG) anchors the paint; Clingan (10.5 PPG, 10.2 RPG) provides rookie energy and rebounding, which could neutralize Orlando’s size without the Wagners.
Bench Battle: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope/Cole Anthony (ORL) vs. Anfernee Simons/Toumani Camara (POR): Orlando’s depth is tested; Portland’s guards like Simons (if healthy) could provide scoring punch.
Expect Orlando’s defense (top-12 in points allowed) to challenge Portland’s inconsistent offense.
Recent Team Forms
Orlando has been inconsistent amid injuries, while Portland shows home resilience but overall struggles.
Orlando Magic (Last 10 Games): 5-5 record, averaging 115.2 PPG while allowing 118.1. They’ve dropped four of their last five, including a 97-120 loss at Golden State on Dec. 22. Road form is 3-7, with defensive lapses in losses.
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score |
| Dec 22 | @ GSW | L | 97-120 |
| Dec 18 | vs DEN | L | 115-126 |
| Dec 13 | vs NYK | L | 120-132 |
| Dec 9 | vs MIA | W | 117-108 |
| Dec 7 | @ NYK | L | 100-106 |
| Dec 5 | vs MIA | W | 106-105 |
| Dec 3 | vs SAS | L | 112-114 |
| Dec 1 | vs CHI | W | 125-120 |
| Nov 28 | vs DET | W | 112-109 |
| Nov 25 | vs PHI | W | 144-103 |
Portland Trail Blazers (Last 10 Games): 4-6 record, averaging 116.3 PPG but allowing 119.7. They’ve won two straight home games vs. Sacramento but lost six of eight before that. Home form is 5-5, with high-scoring affairs.
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score |
| Dec 20 | vs SAC | W | 98-93 |
| Dec 18 | vs SAC | W | 134-133 (OT) |
| Dec 11 | vs NOP | L | 120-143 |
| Dec 7 | vs MEM | L | 96-119 |
| Dec 5 | vs DET | L | 116-122 |
| Dec 3 | vs CLE | W | 122-110 |
| Dec 2 | vs TOR | L | 118-121 |
| Nov 30 | vs OKC | L | 115-123 |
| Nov 26 | vs SAS | L | 102-115 |
| Nov 24 | vs MIL | W | 115-103 |
Series History
Portland leads the all-time series 42-30 in 72 regular-season games. Recently, Orlando has struggled: 6-14 in the last 20 meetings. This season, Orlando won the first matchup 115-112 on Nov. 10 (covering as favorites). Over the last 10: Portland 6-4, with averages of 215.8 total points. In Portland, the Blazers are 3-2 in the last five, but unders have hit in four of those. Games tend to be close, with six of the last 10 decided by single digits.
Betting Trends
Orlando is 12-17 ATS overall, 6-8 ATS on the road, and 7-11 ATS as favorites. Portland is 15-14 ATS, 7-5 ATS at home, and 12-4 ATS as underdogs. Over has hit in 16 of Orlando’s 29 games (55.2%) and 18 of Portland’s 29 (62.1%). Head-to-head overs: 3-7 in last 10. Orlando 5-5 ATS in last 10; Portland 6-4 ATS in last 10. Orlando 4-1 ATS in last 5 vs. West underdogs; Portland 4-1 ATS in last 5 home games.
Game Odds
Orlando Magic – 1.5
Portland Trail Blazers 232.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, December 22, 2025
