Bitadze provided two points (1-2 FG, 0-2 FT), nine rebounds and one steal over 26 minutes during Saturday's 112-111 victory over the Spurs.
Bitadze played more than 25 minutes for the first time since returning from injury, indicating that his spot as the starting center could be safe after all. Although his production left much to be desired, the increased playing time is encouraging. Look for him to deliver a better performance when the Magic host the Hawks on Monday.
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Magic's Goga Bitadze: Records 14 boards in loss
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Bitadze contributed six points (2-8 FG, 2-5 FT), 14 rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal in 20 minutes during Monday's 104-99 loss to the Warriors.
Although the Magic rank as one of the worst rebounding teams in the league, they managed to outpace the Warriors off the glass 52-45, due in large part to Bitadze's effort. Through 40 games, the big man is averaging 9.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.9 blocks.
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Magic's Goga Bitadze: Starting Thursday
Rotowire
Bitadze is in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Trail Blazers.
Bitadze posted 10 points and nine rebounds across 22 minutes in his return to action Monday, and the big man will return to his regular starting role for this matchup. Bitadze is averaging 10.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.0 steals per game in a starting role this season across 33 appearances.
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Magic's Goga Bitadze: Approaches double-double in return
Rotowire
Bitadze (concussion) tallied 10 points (4-4 FG, 2-4 FT), nine rebounds, two assists and one block in 22 minutes off the bench in Monday's 125-119 double-overtime loss to the Heat.
Though he had started in each of his prior 33 appearances, Bitadze was deployed as the backup center behind Wendell Carter on Monday as he made his return from a six-game absence due to a concussion. Poor free-throw shooting aside, Bitadze produced well during his time on the court, but it's unclear if he'll recapture his spot in the starting five and poach more playing time from Carter, who logged 36 minutes Monday. The Magic were without star power forward Paolo Banchero due to an oblique tear for all 33 of Bitadze's previous starts, and head coach Jamahl Mosley may prefer Carter's fit on the top unit with a now-healthy Banchero.
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Magic's Goga Bitadze: Coming off bench Monday
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Bitadze (concussion) will be deployed off the bench in Monday's game against the Heat, Philip Rossman-Reich of OrlandoMagicDaily.com reports.
Bitadze is in line for his first game action since Jan. 12 after clearing the league's concussion protocol, and he'll be utilized as reserve in an effort to ease him back into play. The Magic could limit the big man's minutes to ensure he makes it out of Monday's matchup without any setbacks.
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Magic's Goga Bitadze: Clears protocol, available Monday
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Bitadze (concussion) is available for Monday's matchup against Miami, Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Bitadze missed Orlando's last seven games, but he took part in the team's morning shootaround and officially cleared the concussion protocol ahead of Monday's 7:30 p.m. ET tipoff. Bitadze has started in 33 of his 36 appearances this season, but most of those starts came while power forward Paolo Banchero was sidelined with an oblique tear. Now that Banchero is healthy again, the Magic may prefer to have Bitadze come off the bench as the primary backup to Wendell Carter.
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Magic's Goga Bitadze: Questionable for Monday
Rotowire
Bitadze (concussion) is listed as questionable for Monday's matchup against Miami.
Bitadze is in jeopardy of missing his seventh straight contest while going through the league's concussion protocol. If the big man remains on the shelf, Wendell Carter should continue to receive the starting nod at center.
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Magic's Goga Bitadze: Officially ruled out
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Bitadze (concussion) won't play in Saturday's game versus the Pistons.
Bitadze will miss his sixth straight contest Saturday after being downgraded from questionable to out while in concussion protocol. Wendell Carter should draw another start in his absence. Bitadze's next chance to suit up is Monday's matchup with Miami.
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Magic's Goga Bitadze: Absent from shootaround
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Bitadze (concussion) didn't participate in shootaround ahead of Saturday's game versus the Pistons, Dan Savage of the Magic's official site reports.
Bitadze is officially listed as questionable for Saturday's contest after missing Orlando's previous five outings while in concussion protocol. However, Bitadze's absence from shootaround is a bad sign of his availability against Detroit.
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Magic's Goga Bitadze: Iffy for Saturday
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Bitadze (concussion) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Pistons.
Bitadze has missed the last five games for the Magic while trying to recover from a concussion. Wendell Carter could see a boost in minutes if the 25-year-old big man cannot get back on the floor against Detroit.
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Magic's Goga Bitadze: Officially ruled out
Rotowire
Bitadze (concussion) won't play in Thursday's game versus the Trail Blazers.
Bitadze will miss his fifth straight contest Thursday after being downgraded from doubtful to out due to still being in the NBA's concussion protocol. While Bitadze has advanced to the non-contact stage of the protocol, his next chance to suit up is Saturday's matchup with Detroit.
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Magic's Goga Bitadze: Doubtful for Thursday
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Bitadze (concussion) is doubtful for Thursday against the Trail Blazers.
Bitadze appears likely to miss his fifth game in a row Thursday. Assuming he sits, his next chance to play comes Saturday against the Pistons.
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Magic's Goga Bitadze: Remaining out Tuesday
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Bitadze (concussion) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Raptors, Mason Williams of SI.com reports.
Bitadze is set to miss his fourth straight matchup while working his way through the league's concussion protocol. His next opportunity to return will arrive Thursday against the Trail Blazers.
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Magic's Goga Bitadze: Sidelined again Sunday
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Bitadze (concussion) is out for Sunday's game against the Nuggets.
Bitadze will miss a third straight game due to a concussion, and this will lead to Wendell Carter earning another start in the frontcourt alongside Paolo Banchero. Bitadze's next chance to play will come against the Raptors on Tuesday.
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Magic's Goga Bitadze: Remains out Friday
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Bitadze (concussion) won't play in Friday's game versus the Celtics.
Bitadze will miss his second straight contest Friday due to a concussion. Wendell Carter should draw another start in his absence. Bitadze's next chance to suit up is Sunday's matchup with Denver.
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Magic's Goga Bitadze: Out Wednesday with concussion
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Bitadze was placed in the concussion protocol and will not play Wednesday versus the Bucks, Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Bitadze was originally considered questionable for Wednesday with a hip injury, but he also took a shot to the head during Sunday's 104-99 win over the 76ers and started to show symptoms of a concussion later on. With the new diagnosis, Bitadze is in danger of missing additional time. Wendell Carter will likely enter the starting five in Bitadze's stead Wednesday, while Jonathan Isaac could see elevated minutes as the Magic's top reserve big man.
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Magic's Goga Bitadze: Listed as questionable
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Bitadze (hip) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Bucks, Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel reports.
After leaving Sunday's game against the 76ers early, Bitadze was held out of Tuesday's practice. The questionable tag suggests that he's day-to-day, however. Jonathan Isaac is a candidate to step into a larger role if Bitadze can't go.
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Magic's Goga Bitadze: Misses practice Tuesday
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Bitadze (hip) did not practice Tuesday, Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Bitadze left Sunday's game against the 76ers early and is dealing with a right hip contusion. The Magic will be releasing their injury report Tuesday afternoon or evening, and it wouldn't be surprising if the Magic slapped a questionable tag on the center. Jonathan Isaac could see more run if Bitadze is unable to give it a go.
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Magic's Goga Bitadze: Day ends early with hip injury
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Bitadze exited with 2:38 remaining in the second quarter of Sunday's 104-99 win over the 76ers and didn't return after being diagnosed with a right hip contusion.
The Magic initially labeled Bitadze as questionable to return, but Wendell Carter opened the second half with the starting unit while Bitadze never checked back into the game. Along with Carter, Jonathan Isaac (27 minutes) also saw a spike in playing time as a result of Bitadze's early exit. Bitadze finished with four points (2-3 FG), two rebounds, two blocks, two steals and one assist in 12 minutes prior to departing the game.
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Magic's Goga Bitadze: Balanced outing as leading scorer
Rotowire
Bitadze tallied 15 points (7-12 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-1 FT), eight rebounds, three blocks, two assists and one steal over 30 minutes in Thursday's 104-89 loss to Minnesota.
Bitadze did a little bit of everything for Orlando in Thursday's battle, leading all Magic players in scoring and blocks while ending two rebounds shy of a double-double in a losing effort. Bitadze has posted at least 10 points and eight boards in 17 contests this season, and he recorded his eighth outing with three or more blocks.
