The Orlando Magic face four very tough opponents this week as they travel to Chicago to take on the Bulls and then host the Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, and Oklahoma City Thunder all before the end of the weekend. Almost half way through the year the Magic sit at 13-27, and given the opponents they are playing this week that record does not appear to be improving soon. Nonetheless they will put on a good show in front of the home crowd after their return from Chicago.
1/12/2015 Orlando Magic at Chicago Bulls | Average Price $129 | Get-In Price $18 | Chicago Parking $10
The Chicago Bulls are currently third in the Eastern Conference and climbing. This will be the second of four matchups between these two teams. The Bulls squeaked out a 98-90 victory in their November 4th meeting. Expect to see Pau Gasol continue his dominance of the NBA against a poor Orlando squad unless Nicolas Vucevic can contain him. The average ticket for this game is going for $128.80, which is low for a Chicago sporting event. To get into the arena, it is only going to cost $18.
1/14/2015 Orlando Magic vs. Houston Rockets | Average Price $104 | Get-In Price $22
The Houston Rockets sit at 26-11, tied with Memphis for the third spot in the tough Western Conference. The Magic will have their hands full with James Harden and Dwight Howard, though Victor Oladipo, Tobias Harris and Vucevic will try to rise to the challenge. Harden averages 27 points and 6.5 assists per game and is having an All-NBA caliber season.
1/16/2015 Orlando Magic vs. Memphis Grizzlies | Average Price $92 | Get-In Price $19
Memphis sports a big three of Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph and Mike Conley, leading them near the top of the Western Conference. Gasol leads the team in points per game (19.5 per game, with 8.1 rebounds), Randolph leads in rebounds (11.6 per game, with 16.3 points) and Conley leads in assists (6.2 per game, with 18.3 points), demonstrating their balance across the board and lack of reliance on one player.
1/18/2015 Orlando Magic vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | Average Price $187 | Get-In Price $46
The Thunder find themselves on the cups of the Western Conference playoffs at just one game under .500 after missing Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook for extended periods of time. Westbrook has been a monster since his return, averaging 26.2 points, 7.1 assists and 5.6 rebounds per game. Durant averages 25 points and 6 rebounds, while Steven Adams and Serge Ibaka lead the team in rebounds (7.3) and blocks (2.4) respectively. Oklahoma City Thunder tickets are the most expensive of the week for the Magic at $187, with a get-in price of $46.
