PREVIEW: The Orlando Magic arrive at home seeking stability after dropping six of their last nine games, while the Portland Trail Blazers come to town riding momentum with their elite defensive versatility. Portland operates as one of the league's fastest-paced offenses, ranking third in possessions per game and scoring efficiently at 121.6 points per contest, led by Deni Avdija's 25.3 points per night alongside Jerami Grant and Shaedon Sharpe. The Blazers excel at forcing turnovers and controlling the glass with the league's best offensive rebounding rate at 33.5 percent, though their outside shooting remains a concern at 30th in efficiency. Orlando counters with league-leading free throw production at 25.3 makes per game, anchored by Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner who combine for 45 points nightly. The Magic's interior dominance comes with defensive limitations, ranking 27th in defensive three-point volume allowed and struggling to contain transition attacks, while their isolation-heavy offense ranks 26th in ball movement. Portland's suffocating perimeter defense limits opponents to just 11.2 made threes per game, good for second in the league, and they shoot 83.3 percent from the free throw line as a disciplined team from the charity stripe. The Blazers' main vulnerability surfaces early, having trailed at halftime in three of their last four outings, making game flow critical Monday evening. The contest tips off at Kia Center where Orlando sits 2-3 at home this season, while Portland brings a 2-2 road record into the second game of their five-game trip.