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Georgian basketball player Goga Bitadze still a pivotal force for NBA side Orlando Magic
Georgian basketball player Goga Bitadze
TBILISI, February 20, 2025 - Goga Bitadze has not slowed down. The pivot of Orlando Magic is having the best campaign of his life and delivering some solid stats for his team.
Bitadze, who is also the center of Georgian National Team, is leading his NBA team in rebounds (8.0), blocks (1.7) and field goal percentage (61.4). He also has a career high 8.6 points per game and is irreplaceable. He is a solid starter, who did not lose his position even after Wendell Carter Jr returned from an injury.
They give Magic different looks. Bitadze is way more solid controlling the rim, while Carter is a better passer and has a better mid-range jumper. Bitadze is crushing the boards, while Carter can be dangerous from the distance and be a reliable contributor as a pass first pivot.
This is coming at a good time for Magic, who is having a hard time and went down all the way to the play-in zone. The teams that finish the regular season ranked from seventh through tenth, play in a four-team, three-game play-in tournament for the seventh and eighth seed in the conference.
Orlando lost 6 out of its last 10 games and sit in seventh place with 27:29. They got back Franz Wagner, who is still capable of dominating every single game. They got timely return from Paolo Banchero, who is still far from dominating. They still lack a true point guard, but the team is going to be a real stiff challenger for the whole Eastern Conference.
Carter is averaging 8.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists. Rock solid numbers, but Wendell has to be strong in the last couple of months, when the real fight begins. So, double trouble from the Bitadze-Carter duo could be an X-factor for Orlando.
The Eastern Conference has the reigning champs Boston and the always dangerous Cavs, while New York, Pacers and Milwaukee are ready for battle. Detroit still leads Magic by a couple of wins, but in the long run, Magic has better chances.
The real battles for Goga and Magic are coming.
Bitadze, who is also the center of Georgian National Team, is leading his NBA team in rebounds (8.0), blocks (1.7) and field goal percentage (61.4). He also has a career high 8.6 points per game and is irreplaceable. He is a solid starter, who did not lose his position even after Wendell Carter Jr returned from an injury.
They give Magic different looks. Bitadze is way more solid controlling the rim, while Carter is a better passer and has a better mid-range jumper. Bitadze is crushing the boards, while Carter can be dangerous from the distance and be a reliable contributor as a pass first pivot.
This is coming at a good time for Magic, who is having a hard time and went down all the way to the play-in zone. The teams that finish the regular season ranked from seventh through tenth, play in a four-team, three-game play-in tournament for the seventh and eighth seed in the conference.
Orlando lost 6 out of its last 10 games and sit in seventh place with 27:29. They got back Franz Wagner, who is still capable of dominating every single game. They got timely return from Paolo Banchero, who is still far from dominating. They still lack a true point guard, but the team is going to be a real stiff challenger for the whole Eastern Conference.
Carter is averaging 8.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists. Rock solid numbers, but Wendell has to be strong in the last couple of months, when the real fight begins. So, double trouble from the Bitadze-Carter duo could be an X-factor for Orlando.
The Eastern Conference has the reigning champs Boston and the always dangerous Cavs, while New York, Pacers and Milwaukee are ready for battle. Detroit still leads Magic by a couple of wins, but in the long run, Magic has better chances.
The real battles for Goga and Magic are coming.
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