Orlando @ Oklahoma City preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 5, 2019 ) Orlando 122, Oklahoma City 132

The Oklahoma City Thunder look to defeat Orlando for the 14th time in 17 meetings when they host the Magic on Tuesday. The Thunder seldom experienced trouble with the Magic during the tenure of the departed Russell Westbrook and now Chris Paul will look to direct the team to another triumph.

Paul, who was acquired from the Houston Rockets in the Westbrook deal, had 15 points and a season-best nine assists in Saturday's 115-104 home win over the New Orleans Pelicans. "This is actually a good team for us to play against because it gets us playing faster," Paul told reporters after the victory. "With the young guys we got and the athleticism, if we play fast like this night-in and night-out we'll give ourselves a better chance." Orlando is last in the NBA in scoring (93.5 points per game) and field-goal percentage (39.7) and has yet to score 100 points this season. "We're not shooting the ball well right now, but that's going to change because we have a lot of hard workers in this locker room and guys who have put in a lot of work," Magic power forward Aaron Gordon told reporters after a 91-87 home loss to the Denver Nuggets on Saturday. "That will change and we'll start knocking down shots and put numbers on the board."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Orlando), FS Oklahoma

ABOUT THE MAGIC (2-4): Markelle Fultz drew the start at point guard against Denver and the 21-year-old had nine points, three steals and two assists in 25 minutes. Orlando coach Steve Clifford said he flip-flopped Fultz and former starter D.J. Augustin because it provides better balance between the first and second units, while Fultz viewed the move as a vote of confidence. "It makes me feel really good, and it's more motivation," said Fultz, who is averaging 9.7 points and 3.3 assists. "It's not the end of the world or the best thing ever, but it definitely shows the trust that (Clifford) has in me. He believes that I can help this team out."

ABOUT THE THUNDER (2-4): Rookie forward Darius Bazley had his first solid NBA performance with 17 points against the Pelicans after scoring just 13 combined over the first five games. Bazley (19 years, 143 days) is the youngest player in Oklahoma City history to score in double digits and Paul said feeding the youngster the ball is helping develop his confidence. "C.P. just told me 'We're passing you the ball for a reason, just keep shooting the ball', I just had that in the back of my head," Bazley told reporters. "Just knowing that my teammates have my back and know that they trust me, it allows me to be a lot more comfortable and confident on the court."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Thunder averaged 129 points while winning both of last season's meetings.

2. Orlando was just 6-of-29 from 3-point range in the loss to Denver.

3. Oklahoma City C Steven Adams (knee) could miss his third straight game.

PREDICTION: Magic 97, Thunder 94