Records
Bobcats: 9-29 (Road: 4-14)
Magic: 14-24 (Home: 8-12)
Projected Bobcats starters
PG Kemba Walker (6-1/184)
SG Gerald Henderson (6-5/215)
SF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (6-7/232)
PF Hakim Warrick (6-9/219)
C Bismack Biyombo (6-9/245)
Projected Magic starters
PG Jameer Nelson (6-0/190)
SG Arron Afflalo (6-5/215)
SF DeQuan Jones (6-8/221)
PF Glen Davis (6-9/289)
C Nik Vucevic (7-0/240)
Injuries
? For Charlotte, center Byron Mullens (left ankle) won?t play, according to the team?s official injury report.
? For Orlando, power forward/center Gustavo Ay?n (right quadriceps) is listed as questionable. Small forward Hedo Turkoglu (left hand) isn?t listed on the Magic?s injury report, but he won?t play until his surgically repaired left hand feels better. Power forward Al Harrington (knee) won?t play.
Referees
James Capers
Mark Lindsay
Rodney Mott
Reasons to watch
? If the Magic are going to make a surprising playoff run, they?ll need to rack up some wins ? and soon. Orlando trails the seventh- and eighth-place teams in Eastern Conference by six games. The current stretch of games, in which they?ll play five of six at Amway Center, gives the Magic a chance to build some momentum. They need to beat subpar opponents such as the Bobcats.
? The Magic will continue to try to regain continuity defensively and in their playing rotation. Davis almost certainly will start for the second time since his shoulder injury, and backup combo guard E?Twaun Moore also will be playing his third game back since his elbow injury.
? Vucevic has recorded eight consecutive double-doubles in points and rebounds.
Bobcats on offense
? Bobcats offensive rating: 98.5 points scored per 100 possessions (28th in NBA)
? Magic defensive rating: 103.5 points allowed per 100 possessions (18th)
Magic on offense
? Magic offensive rating: 100.5 points scored per 100 possessions (20th)
? Bobcats defensive rating: 108.3 points allowed per 100 possessions (29th)
Bobcats scouting report
Charlotte started the season with a 7-5 record but has fallen on tough times since then. The Bobcats have lost 24 of their last 26 games. . . . Kidd-Gilchrist, the second overall pick in the 2012 draft, is averaging 10.6 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. . . . Point guard Ramon Sessions and shooting guard Ben Gordon provide scoring punch off the bench.
The last time
On Dec. 15, the Magic beat the Bobcats 107-98 in Charlotte. Bobcats point guard Kemba Walker scored a game-high 32 points and dished out seven assists. But five Magic players scored at least 13 points, with Afflalo and Davis scoring 20 points apiece.
Key matchup
Walker vs. Nelson: Walker carries the scoring load when Charlotte has its starting five on the court. One-on-one matchups almost never truly are one-on-one matchups because defense is a team task. But Nelson needs to try to prevent, or at least limit, Walker?s dribble drives.
