Bitadze is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Heat, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Bitadze made a spot start Friday against the Nets, but he'll return to his regular bench role with Wendell Carter (hip) moving to the first unit. Bitadze is averaging 4.4 points and 3.5 rebounds per game this season while appearing off the bench in all but one of his 37 outings.
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Magic's Goga Bitadze: Grabs 15 boards in loss
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Bitadze closed with 12 points (5-7 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 15 rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal over 25 minutes during Friday's 101-84 loss to Brooklyn.
The Magic rested several starters, allowing Bitadze to see a more significant role than usual. The big man took full advantage of the opportunity while tying a season-high mark in boards. Bitadze could find himself in the starting lineup for the regular-season finale Sunday at Miami, given the Magic has nothing to play for anymore.
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Magic's Goga Bitadze: Gets starting nod
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Bitadze is in the starting five for Friday's game versus the Nets.
Bitadze will replace Moritz Wagner (ankle) in the starting lineup Friday. Bitzadze will make his first start of the season for Orlando.
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Magic's Goga Bitadze: Scores 10 points in 16 minutes
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Bitadze notched 10 points (5-9 FG, 0-1 3Pt), six rebounds, one assist and one block in 16 minutes during Tuesday's 117-113 loss to the Cavaliers.
Bitadze played as the primary backup behind Wendell Carter, cobbling together another intriguing performance. It appears as though he has usurped Moritz Wagner in the pecking order, a move that should be noted by managers, even in 12-team formats. If he can see close to 20 minutes per game for the remainder of the season, there is possibly enough meat on the bone for him to be added down the stretch.
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Magic's Goga Bitadze: Productive in limited minutes
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Bitadze registered 13 points (5-7 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), six rebounds, three blocks, one assist and one steal in 13 minutes during Tuesday's 113-108 loss to the Grizzlies.
Bitadze played as the primary backup behind Wendell Carter, ending his night with an eye-popping line. While he can certainly be a viable fantasy asset at times, Bitadze's role is simply too unpredictable at this point. The fact that he played only six minutes in the Magic's previous game and has sat out three of the past nine games means that he shouldn't be viewed as much more than a situational streamer.
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Magic's Goga Bitadze: Near double-double off bench
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Bitadze finished with 12 points (6-9 FG, 0-1 3Pt), eight rebounds, two assists and one steal across 20 minutes during Tuesday's 134-123 loss to Milwaukee.
With Wendell Carter (hip) sidelined, Bitadze saw an expanded role and posted his best performance with his new team. It was his second-best outing of the season, behind only a 14-point, 15-rebound double-double he had while playing for the Pacers on Oct. 22. If Carter remains sidelined, Bitadze could continue to garner an increased role in Orlando's frontcourt, but his overall value remains limited as long as Moritz Wagner is operating as the starter.
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Magic's Goga Bitadze: Debuts with new team
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Bitadze chipped in six points (2-3 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 1-1 FT), six rebounds and one assist in nine minutes during Saturday's 121-108 loss to the Pacers.
In his Magic debut, Bitadze posted quality numbers in his limited time off the bench, but he may not be a regular factor in the rotation in most games. Orlando was without Jonathan Isaac (knee) on Saturday, which cleared the way for Bitadze to claim a spot on the second unit. Assuming Isaac is back in action Monday in New Orleans, Bitadze may struggle to see the court with Isaac and Moritz Wagner seemingly locked in as the Magic's top two frontcourt reserves.
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Magic's Goga Bitadze: Won't debut Tuesday
Rotowire
Bitadze didn't travel with the Magic to Toronto and won't be available for Tuesday's game against the Raptors.
Less than an hour before their 100-91 win over the Bulls on Monday, the Magic announced the signing of Bitadze, who had been cut loose by Indiana last week. Since he's not yet with the Magic and hasn't taken part in a practice, Bitadze won't join the team until after the All-Star break. Once he gets a few practices under his belt and is cleared to make his Orlando debut, Bitadze is likely to fill the third-string center role that was vacated by Mo Bamba, whom the Magic traded to the Lakers last week.
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Magic's Goga Bitadze: Signing with Orlando
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Bitadze agreed to a contract with the Magic on Monday.
After recently being let go by the Pacers, Bitadze has quickly found a new home with the Magic. The fourth-year pro averaged 3.3 points and 2.3 rebounds across 9.6 minutes per game over his 21 appearances with Indiana this season. While Bitadze is not likely to be fantasy relevant for the remainder of the season, Orlando is a man down in their center rotation with Mo Bamba now on the Lakers. Bitazde figures to compete with Moritz Wagner for minutes off the bench moving forward.
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Goga Bitadze: Let go by Indiana
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The Pacers will waive Bitadze on Thursday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
Indiana was part of a three-team trade with the Bucks and Nets in which it received three players (Jordan Nwora, George Hill and Serge Ibaka), so Bitadze will lose his spot on the roster to make way for the new arrivals. The 23-year-old center had been buried on the depth chart this season, but showed the ability to put up numbers in limited time, averaging 3.3 points and 2.3 rebounds in 9.6 minutes across 21 games. Another team could look to bring Bitadze aboard as a developmental option in the frontcourt.
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Pacers' Goga Bitadze: Available Monday
Rotowire
Bitadze (illness) is available for Monday's matchup against the Bucks.
Bitadze, who was initially listed as questionable, will suit up Monday after being a late scratch ahead of Saturday's loss to Memphis. However, it's unclear how much playing time he'll receive, as he's averaging just 9.9 minutes across 19 appearances this season.
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Pacers' Goga Bitadze: Considered questionable
Rotowire
Bitadze (illness) is questionable for Monday's matchup against Milwaukee.
Bitadze was a late scratch ahead of Saturday's matchup due to an illness and is in jeopardy of missing a second straight game. Myles Turner (back) is questionable as well, so if both big men remain sidelined, Jalen Smith and Isaiah Jackson would be candidates for increased roles again.
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Pacers' Goga Bitadze: Ruled out Saturday
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Bitadze won't play Saturday due to a non-COVID illness.
Bitadze was a late scratch for Saturday's game, but his absence shouldn't affect many fantasy rosters since he's averaging a meager 9.9 minutes per game through 19 appearances off the bench this season.
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Pacers' Goga Bitadze: Gets playing time Wednesday
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Bitadze posted four points (2-5 FG, 0-1 3Pt), three rebounds, one assist, three blocks and two steals across 15 minutes during Wednesday's 115-101 loss to the Timberwolves.
Bitadze eclipsed eight minutes of playing time for just the second time in Indiana's last 13 games. His four points scored matched his total since Oct. 31. He's received playing time in four of Indiana's last nine games and does not appear to be in line for predictable minutes.
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Pacers' Goga Bitadze: Cracks rotation Friday
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Bitadze finished with one block over two minutes during Friday's 99-91 victory over the Rockets.
Bitadze made a rare appearance in the win, seeing action for just the second time in the last six games. With the Pacers running a healthy frontcourt rotation, Bitadze is simply on the outside looking in when it comes to rotation minutes. Unless injuries clear the path to more playing time, Bitadze can be safely left on the fantasy waiver wire.
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Pacers' Goga Bitadze: Sizable double-double in win
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Bitadze totaled 14 points (6-8 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 1-4 FT), 15 rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal over 25 minutes during Saturday's 124-115 victory over the Pistons.
Bitadze came out of nowhere to deliver easily his best game of the season thus far. With Isaiah Jackson moving into the starting lineup and Terry Taylor shifting to the bench, Bitadze was able to soak up the bulk of the backup center minutes. If a guaranteed 25-minute-per-night role was on the cards, he would absolutely be a player to snap up in standard formats. While he is worth a flier in case this can stick for a handful of games, it's hard to see him being much more than a streaming consideration on most nights.
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Pacers' Goga Bitadze: Good to go for preseason
Rotowire
Bitadze (ankle) isn't listed on the injury report ahead of Wednesday's preseason opener versus the Hornets.
Bitadze was reportedly close to full health to open training camp, so it's no surprise he's ready to go with another week-plus of recovery time under his belt. The big man figures to log some minutes Wednesday and should remain part of the club's rotation in 2022-23. His expected workload could expand if Myles Turner gets traded.
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Pacers' Goga Bitadze: Close to 100 percent
Rotowire
Bitadze is close to 100 percent healthy heading into training camp while he recovers from an ankle injury, Scott Agness of FieldhouseFiles.com reports.
Bitadze was sidelined late in the 2021-22 campaign due to a foot issue, but he was cleared to take part in FIBA action this summer for the Georgian national team. He might have picked up the ankle issue at some point along the way, but it doesn't sound like anything that will affect his availability for the start of the regular season. Bitadze has shown the ability to produce some fantasy-friendly lines on the brief occasions he's seen extended run through his first three NBA years. Still, he may not be a lock to enter the 2022-23 season as a member of the rotation while Myles Turner is still on the roster and while Isaiah Jackson and Jalen Smith may be higher priority developmental options.
