Orlando @ Phoenix preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 17, 2017 ) Orlando 109, Phoenix 103

The Orlando Magic took a brief detour back into their offensive inconsistency after a sizzling start but pulled out of it with a win on Wednesday, just in time to generate some positive momentum prior to a four-game road trip out west. The Magic will try to make it back-to-back wins and get the trip started on the right foot when they visit the Phoenix Suns on Friday.

Orlando averaged 85.5 points in home losses to the Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics but got point guard Elfrid Payton (hamstring) back from an eight-game absence on Wednesday against New York and watched him steady the offense while collecting 11 points and 11 assists. "A sight for sore eyes -- that's what it was for me seeing Elfrid Payton back out there," Magic coach Frank Vogel told reporters. "We know that he and Aaron (Gordon) have great lob chemistry, so with Elfrid being back we put that in as the first play, for him to look for Aaron, and he executed it well. He just carried it throughout the whole game, really." The Suns waved goodbye to one of their point guards this week by trading away disgruntled veteran Eric Bledsoe but suffered their fourth straight loss 126-115 at home to the Miami Heat on Wednesday. Phoenix allowed the Heat to shoot 53.1 percent from the floor and are hoping the return from the Bledsoe trade -- veteran center Greg Monroe -- can help provide some defensive stability once he recovers from soreness in his left calf.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Orlando), FS Arizona (Phoenix)

ABOUT THE MAGIC (7-4): Orlando was without both Payton and fellow point guard D.J. Augustin (hamstring), and the lack of a facilitator was apparent as the team combined to shoot 38.4 percent from the field against the Bulls and Celtics. The Magic shot 53.8 percent from the floor in Wednesday's 112-99 win, with Gordon, Nikola Vucevic and Evan Fournier going a combined 26-of-43. "Missing two point guards, that was tough, but it was so good to have (Payton) back, especially that first unit who is very comfortable playing with him because he knows everybody's comfort zones and sweet spots," Vucevic told the team's website. "He got us all the ball early and put us in good positions, so it gave us a huge boost."

ABOUT THE SUNS (4-8): Bledsoe's departure leaves 21-year-old shooting guard Devin Booker as the unquestioned leader of the young team, and he is making it his responsibility to make plays for his teammates. Booker led the team with six assists to go with his team-high 30 points on Wednesday and is drawing praise from his older teammates. "I think he knows there's so much attention and if he doesn't make the passes, the double-team will come harder," veteran forward Jared Dudley told the team's website of Booker. "For his age, his IQ is very high, the game is slowing down for him. It usually takes your third year to slow down, it has been. Not only does he have the green light, he has a confidence when he chooses his spots."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Suns C Tyson Chandler (back spasms) sat out Wednesday and is day-to-day.

2. Fournier went 3-of-6 from 3-point range on Wednesday after going 3-of-14 in the previous two games.

3. Orlando snapped a four-game losing streak in the series with a 109-103 win in Phoenix on March 17.

PREDICTION: Magic 116, Suns 109