Orlando

Magic

This wasn’t an efficient shooting night for Suggs, but it was certainly a productive outing. He recorded at least 10 assists for the third time in his last seven games and continued to be a defensive stat monster. Over his last four games, he has averaged 4.0 steals and 2.5 blocks per game. Health has been an issue for him, but Suggs is a fantasy beast when he’s on the floor. He’ll look to keep that going after the All-Star break.

Bane got off to a scorching hot start to this game, scoring 15 points on five triples in the first quarter. He ended up matching his career high for three-pointers in a game, though he only three more over the final three quarters, which wasn’t enough for Orlando to get the win. Still, Bane has scored at least 20 points in four straight games entering the All-Star break and will look to pick up where he left off after some time off.

Monday’s game was just Wagner’s third since initially spraining his left ankle during a December 7 loss to the Knicks, and his minutes were handled accordingly. He played 17 minutes against the Bucks, with the Magic bringing Franz off the bench. That could be the approach taken in Wednesday’s rematch, with Wagner being allowed to do more after the All-Star break.

With Franz Wagner under a minutes limit in his first game back, Black remained in the starting lineup on Monday. And, as has been the case throughout the season, the third-year guard was a star. Black led the Magic with 26 points and recorded a complete stat line. Over the past two weeks, he has offered second-round value in eight- and nine-cat formats according to Basketball Monster. Even with the possibility of a return to the bench hovering over Black, he’s worth rostering in category leagues.

With Anthony Black and Desmond Bane combining for 51 points and Franz Wagner back in the rotation, Suggs was able to reach double figures in assists for the second time in three games. Add in the steals, and it’s easy to see why the Magic guard is such a valuable category-league player despite his limitations as a scorer. Over the past two weeks, Suggs has offered second-round value in eight- and nine-cat formats according to Basketball Monster.

Of the five games Orlando has played in February, Bane has scored at least 22 in four. He had another excellent night shooting the basketball on Monday, making all six of his attempts inside the arc and shooting 2-of-5 from three. Over the past two weeks, Bane has provided top-30 per-game value in eight-cat formats according to Basketball Monster. And he could be in for another good night on Wednesday, as the Magic host the Bucks again in their final game before the All-Star break.

A late addition to the injury report, Carter is good to go for Monday’s game. Despite Franz Wagner returning from an ankle injury, Anthony Black will remain in the Magic starting lineup.

Due to a sore left ankle, Carter was added to the Magic injury report following pregame shootaround. If he’s unable to play against the Bucks, Orlando could go one of two ways. Starting Goga Bitadze would ensure that a true center is in the lineup. However, with Franz Wagner (ankle) available and Milwaukee’s Myles Turner spending more time on the perimeter than in the post, Orlando could also go small with its starting lineup.

Wagner last played on January 18, but he’ll make his return after three weeks on the sideline. He may face a minutes restriction in his first game back, but Wagner’s return will likely mean less playing time for Anthony Black.

On Thursday, Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman said that Wagner was “very close” to returning. Monday could be that day, as he’s listed as questionable on the injury report. The only question is whether he’ll start immediately, likely bumping Anthony Black to the bench, or come off the bench upon being cleared to play. Managers who have rostered Black should not drop him if he’s moved to the bench.