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Orlando Magic’s Elfrid Payton Benched vs Washington Wizards

By Wes Goldberg

Nov 7, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) drives to the basket against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) drives to the basket against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Orlando Magic will demote Elfrid Payton and insert Victor Oladipo into the starting lineup for Saturday’s game against the Washington Wizards.

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One day after making his NBA season debut, Victor Oladipo will reenter the starting lineup. As a result, the Orlando Magic will bring rookie Elfrid Payton off the bench Saturday against the Washington Wizards, the team announced. This likely has more to do with Oladipo making his return after recovering from a broken bone in his face than it is a reflection of Payton’s play.

The Magic’s full starting five will be Oladipo, Evan Fournier, Tobias Harris and Nikola Vucevic. Oladipo gave the Magic a boost in its 101-85 win over the Milwaukee Bucks Friday. He scored 13 points on 3-of-10 shooting and had three rebounds and two assists in 25 minutes off the bench. Meanwhile Payton went just 1-of-5 for two points and three assists in 22 minutes.

While Payton has been a near-disaster on offense this season, averaging 6 points per game on 32.9 percent shooting, the move may have more to do with having a reserve point guard, as Luke Ridnour (personal) wasn’t with the team Saturday.

Oladipo, a natural shooting guard, played the point for the Magic last season. In 2013-14, he averaged 13.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game.

Oladipo will guard Washington point guard John Wall, who is averaging 20 points and nine assists per game.

Hopefully once Ridnour rejoins the team the Magic will be able to get to a lineup in which Payton and Oladipo man the backcourt and Fournier comes off the bench as the sixth man.

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