Bitadze produced 21 points (8-15 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 5-6 FT), 16 rebounds and four assists across 31 minutes during Sunday's 115-110 victory over the Suns.
Bitadze dominated the paint against a Suns team without rebounding machine Jusuf Nurkic (thigh) to protect the rim Sunday, collecting a career-high 16 boards en route to a big 20-point, 10-rebound double-double. Bitadze has stuck around in Orlando's starting lineup despite Wendell Carter Jr. recently returning to the fold in the frontcourt, with Bitadze averaging 11.2 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.2 steals in 26.9 minutes per contest over his last six games. As long as Bitadze is getting minutes in the mid-20s, the 25-year-old big man should remain a strong source of blocks and boards to go with a high field-goal percentage.
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Magic's Goga Bitadze: Active and starting Wednesday
Rotowire
Bitadze (ankle) is cleared and in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against Philadelphia, Dan Savage of the Magic's official site reports.
Bitadze joins Franz Wagner and Wendell Carter in Orlando's expected starting frontcourt. The 25-year-old is averaging 10.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.0 steals and 3.0 blocks across his last three games.
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Magic's Goga Bitadze: Listed as questionable
Rotowire
Bitadze (ankle) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the 76ers.
Bitadze was a late scratch against the Knicks on Tuesday, but the center remains day-to-day. Tristan da Silva replaced Bitadze in the starting lineup Tuesday and finished with eight points and two rebounds in 22 minutes.
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Magic's Goga Bitadze: Late scratch Tuesday
Rotowire
Bitadze won't play in Tuesday's game versus the Knicks due to a sprained right ankle.
Despite not showing up on the injury report all day, Bitadze will miss his first game since Nov. 3 on Tuesday due to an ankle injury. Tristan da Silva will replace him in the starting lineup. Bitadze's next chance to suit up is Wednesday's matchup with Philadelphia.
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Magic's Goga Bitadze: Top rebounder in Sunday's win
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Bitadze totaled 12 points (4-6 FG, 4-6 FT), 13 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and three steals across 32 minutes during Sunday's 100-92 victory over the Nets.
Bitadze once again owned the paint in Sunday's victory, leading all players in the contest in rebounds while pacing the Magic in steals to go along with a team-high-tying pair of blocks in a double-double performance. Bitadze has recorded a double-double in six outings this season, including in two of his last three appearances.
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Magic's Goga Bitadze: Blocks five shots in win
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Bitadze supplied eight points (2-6 FG, 4-4 FT), six rebounds, three assists, five blocks and one steal across 27 minutes during Friday's 123-100 victory over the Nets.
Bitadze continues to start despite the return of Wendell Carter, blocking a season-high five shots. Although his offense is somewhat sporadic, Bitadze has been a relatively consistent source of rebounds and defensive stats since moving into the starting lineup. Over the past month, he has averaged 9.4 points and 7.8 rebounds to go with 2.8 combined steals and blocks. Given the recent success. there is no reason to think he will shift to the bench anytime soon.
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Magic's Goga Bitadze: Fills stat sheet Wednesday
Rotowire
Bitadze provided 11 points (4-4 FG, 3-4 FT), 11 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals over 25 minutes during Wednesday's 133-119 victory over the Bulls.
Bitadze was perfect from the floor and missed only one of his four attempts from the charity stripe in what was a strong showing for the six-year veteran. Bitadze has five double-doubles this season, and he's averaging 9.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.7 blocks per game since being promoted to a starting role at the beginning of November. Even with Wendell Carter (foot) back in action, Bitadze has stuck in the starting lineup, and the Magic actually started both centers in Wednesday's win.
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Magic's Goga Bitadze: Grabs 15 boards in win
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Bitadze recorded seven points (3-4 FG, 1-1 FT), 15 rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal over 30 minutes during Thursday's 119-118 victory over the Lakers.
Bitadze has proven to be a capable placeholder for Wendell Carter (foot), with an average of 9.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.6 blocked shots over 10 games as a starter. It's unclear when Carter will be cleared to play again, so Bitadze should continue to reap the benefits of an increased role.
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Magic's Goga Bitadze: Fills in with double-double
Rotowire
Bitadze racked up 17 points (7-8 FG, 3-4 FT), 10 rebounds, one assist and two blocks across 31 minutes during Monday's 109-99 victory over Phoenix.
With Wendell Carter (foot) still sidelined, Bitadze continues to do a respectable job in the paint. He notched his fourth double-double of the season against a depleted Suns frontcourt. Bitadze warrants serious fantasy consideration with Carter unable to stay healthy and Paolo Banchero (oblique) potentially out for three more weeks.
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Magic's Goga Bitadze: Best game of year in double-double
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Bitadze notched 12 points (6-7 FG), 12 rebounds, one assist, two blocks and one steal in 28 minutes during Wednesday's 94-90 win over the Pacers.
Bitadze put together his best performance of the season in Wednesday's victory, leading all players in rebounds while concluding as the lone Magic player with a double-double outing. Bitadze set a new season high in scoring while matching a season high in rebounds. He has now recorded a double-double in three contests this year, all of which have occurred over the last five outings.
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Magic's Goga Bitadze: Fills stat sheet Friday
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Bitadze supplied 11 points (5-6 FG, 1-1 FT), nine rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal over 27 minutes during Friday's 115-88 win over the Pelicans.
Bitadze finished just one rebound shy of recording a second consecutive double-double. The big man is making the most of his newfound role in the first unit, scoring in double digits and grabbing at least nine boards in his three starts. He should remain in that role due to the health issues of players such as Wendell Carter (foot), Jonathan Isaac (hamstring) and Paolo Banchero (oblique) that are depleting the frontcourt.
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Magic's Goga Bitadze: First double-double of year in loss
Rotowire
Bitadze recorded 10 points (5-10 FG, 0-2 3Pt), 12 rebounds, two assists, three blocks and one steal across 30 minutes during Wednesday's 118-111 loss to Indiana.
Bitadze took care of business on the boards in Wednesday's loss, leading all players in the contest in rebounds while ending as one of six Magic players in double figures in scoring in a double-double performance. Bitadze set a new season high in rebounds en route to his first double-double of the campaign. He has now tallied a double-digit point total in two straight outings.
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Magic's Goga Bitadze: Flirts with double-double
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Bitadze notched 11 points (5-8 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), nine rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal over 27 minutes during Monday's 102-86 loss to Oklahoma City.
Bitadze returned to action after missing five consecutive games with a foot injury. The timing couldn't have been better for the Magic who lost Wendell Carter to a foot injury in their previous game. Bitadze moved straight into the starting lineup, ending with a decent night's work. Although he is likely to split minutes with Moritz Wagner, Bitadze can contribute on both ends of the floor when afforded additional playing time.
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Magic's Goga Bitadze: Starting Monday
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Bitadze is in the Magic's starting five for Monday's game against the Thunder.
Bitadze missed the Magic's last five games due to a strained tendon in his left foot. Not only will he return Monday, but he will also slide into the starting lineup while Wendell Carter is sidelined with a foot injury of his own. Bitadze hasn't played more than six minutes over his three regular-season outings, and though he's starting Monday, he could see less playing time than Moritz Wagner.
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Magic's Goga Bitadze: Available to play
Rotowire
Bitadze (foot) is available to play Monday against the Thunder, Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Bitadze will shake off his questionable tag and return from a five-game absence. With Wendell Carter (foot) sidelined Monday, Bitadze should find himself in the rotation, though Moritz Wagner may be the better bet to see most of the minutes at center.
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Magic's Goga Bitadze: Iffy for Monday
Rotowire
Bitadze (foot) is questionable for Monday's matchup against the Thunder.
Bitadze is in jeopardy of missing a fifth consecutive outing due to a strained tendon in his left foot. If the 25-year-old is able to give it a go Monday, he could see more playing time if Wendell Carter (foot) is ruled out.
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Magic's Goga Bitadze: Out Sunday
Rotowire
Bitadze (foot) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Dallas, Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Bitadze will miss his fourth consecutive matchup due to a strained left foot. The 25-year-old's absence is not expected to cause any waves in the club's rotation, and his next chance to suit up will come Monday versus the Thunder.
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Magic's Goga Bitadze: Questionable for Sunday
Rotowire
Bitadze (foot) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game versus the Mavericks.
Bitadze is in danger of missing his fourth straight contest Sunday while dealing with a left foot injury. With Wendell Carter (knee) also deemed questionable, Bitadze could be in store for increased playing time.
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Magic's Goga Bitadze: Officially deemed out Friday
Rotowire
Bitadze (foot) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Cavaliers.
Bitadze is slated to miss his third consecutive game due to a left foot strain. The 25-year-old's absence is not expected to cause any waves in the club's rotation. His next chance to suit up will come Sunday against Dallas.
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Magic's Goga Bitadze: Remains game-time decision
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Coach Jamahl Mosley said Bitadze (foot) is a game-time decision for Friday's matchup versus the Cavaliers, Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Bitadze is in jeopardy of missing his third consecutive game due to a left foot strain. However, the 25-year-old's absence is not expected to cause significant waves in the club's rotation. His status will be something to monitor closer to tipoff at 7:00 p.m. ET.
