The Orlando Magic will have to upset the Dallas Mavericks without their best chance at slowing Rajon Rondo and Monta Ellis.
Victor Oladipo will sit out Saturday's game due to a sore right Achilles, leaving the team short their best perimeter defender. Active and strong at 6-foot-4 and able to man both guard spots, Oladipo likely would have been tasked with checking Ellis for the bulk of the game, possibly switching onto Rondo if he gave Elfrid Payton trouble at the one.
Instead, Evan Fournier draws the start at the two, providing a little more shooting for the starting lineup but at a defensive cost.
In 40 games, Oladipo is averaging 16.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists, adjusting to life as an off-guard alongside Payton and improving from outside with a 36 percent 3-point clip. The fit didn't immediately seem clear when the Magic traded for Payton on draft night, but the duo have flashed a great deal of potential in their 711 minutes together despite being outscored by 7.3 points per-100 possessions.
Oladipo said that he tweaked his ankle and Achilles in a game on Thursday but the injury does not sound serious.