Magic's Nikola Vucevic: Doubles-doubles in preseason finale

Vucevic started at center and produced 12 points (4-13 FG, 4-4 FT), 12 rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal across 30 minutes in Thursday's 114-111 preseason win over the Pelicans.

Analysis:

Magic coach Frank Vogel stated prior to Thursday's preseason finale that he would treat the game as a dress rehearsal and held true to form, as all three of the team's starters eclipsed 30 minutes. Vucevic was the low man in that group, as fellow center Bismack Biyombo came off the bench to play 26 minutes, suggesting that a true timeshare exists between the two players. While Vucevic figures to start at center in the Magic's regular-season opener by virtue of Biyombo serving a suspension that carries over from the prior postseason, it's unclear if Vucevic will retain those duties in the following game when Biyombo is available. In addition to being a liability on the defensive end, Vucevic uncharacteristically had a miserable preseason from an offensive standpoint, averaging 8.6 points on 19-for-56 (33.9%) shooting from the field across six games. Vucevic's fantasy stock looks bound to take a big tumble following three straight seasons of consistent double-double production.