3.) Shut down Evan Fournier
With the Magic currently without their All-Star center Nikola Vučević, the offensive burden has fallen to Evan Fournier who has been averaging 24.3 points since the injury. Fournier is a very versatile scorer, with an eFG% of 58.6 (91st percentile) and can score from practically every spot on the floor.
To further illustrate this point, let’s look at Fournier’s FG% from in terms of shot location.
- 57% at the rim (44th percentile)
- 48% from midrange (83rd percentile)
- 45% from three (89th percentile)
- 65% on corner threes (100th percentile)
Obviously his rim scoring is the least efficient part of his game, but given the fact that Fournier only attempts 21% of his shots from that area, it was never a primary part of his offense, to begin with.
Markelle Fultz has also been coming on as of late and has been a legitimate primary ball-handler for the Magic. As a result, this has allowed Fournier to play more off-ball, giving more spot-up opportunities and cuts to the basket, adding another wrinkle to an already impressive all-around game.
Given the fact that Fournier is the Magic’s only reliable source of offense, he should be the primary focus for the Lakers’ defense. However, he’s not an exceptional passer, averaging only 2.2 assists on the season, so the team should be aggressive in sending double teams at him whenever possible.