After Wednesday’s season-opening loss to the Detroit Pistons, considered one of coach Jamahl Mosley’s messages to the Orlando Magic was easy.
“Stop reaching,” Mosley mentioned. “If you trust your positioning and get there on time, you don’t have to reach for the basketball.”
The message was exact as a result of, to Mosley, the answer to one of many points the Magic had in Detroit wasn’t difficult and will have been amplified main into Friday’s 108-98 loss to the Hawks at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
“It’s very simple,” Mosley mentioned. “On closeouts, sit down, understand who it is you’re guarding and don’t reach for the basketball. Play positional defense, get your chest in front of the guy and sit down and guard.”
The message was heard.
“It’s just discipline,” guard Terrence Ross mentioned. “Got to learn from when guys are driving, no need to reach. Keep your hands out, keep your hands up.”
While the execution was higher Friday in comparison with Wednesday, the Magic nonetheless have work to do in different areas.
Reaches weren’t the one problem that plagued Orlando towards the Pistons. Turnovers and defensive rebounding have been additionally issues. Giveaways remained a problem towards Atlanta, with the Magic having 19 turnovers for twenty-four Atlanta factors, together with 16 within the ultimate three quarters for 22 factors.
The Magic’s tendency to achieve regardless of having good defensive positioning undid them towards Detroit with Orlando committing 24 fouls — 7 within the fourth — and the Pistons trying 24 free throws.
The Magic did a greater job of defending with out fouling towards the Hawks, who’ve what Mosley referred to as a “dynamic backcourt” in Trae Young and Dejounte Murray.
Orlando fouled the Hawks 19 occasions, limiting them to 16 free throws.
“We did good with defending without fouling,” Paolo Banchero mentioned. “That was one of the good things we did.”
Young is very expert at drawing fouls, ending within the prime 10 of free-throw makes an attempt per recreation the earlier three seasons.
The Magic did a fantastic job defending Young within the first half (2 factors — 0-of-7 and 0-of-5 on 3s with 8 assists and three turnovers) however he bought unfastened within the second, ending with 25 factors (7-of-24, 4-of-11 on 3s), 13 assists and 6 turnovers.
“That’s always going to be our game keys,” Mosley mentioned. “That’s part of showing your hands, positional defense first. And forcing the contested tough shot. Not necessarily going to get the block but contest the shot first. Now you’re in a position for our other guys to help rebound.”
Murray had 20 factors, 9 assists, 9 rebounds, 3 steals and seven turnovers. John Collins recorded 23 factors (9-of-14, 3-of-4 on 3s) and 13 rebounds. Atlanta shot 41.9% on 3s (13-of-31) in comparison with Orlando’s 23.5% (8-of-34).
Cole Anthony, who made his season debut Friday after sitting out Wednesday’s recreation and Thursday’s apply due to an sickness, led Orlando with 25 factors (8-of-12, 4-of-5 on 3s) in 28 minutes.
Banchero had 20 factors and 12 rebounds for his first double-double along with 3 blocks. His 47 mixed factors by means of the primary two video games of his NBA profession are the seventh-most for a No. 1 decide within the league’s historical past.
Anthony, who got here off the bench for the primary time since April 14, 2021, had been a game-time resolution heading into Friday, with Mosley saying that Anthony was capable of undergo “a little bit” of Friday morning’s shootaround.
Jalen Suggs left Friday’s recreation within the third quarter with an ankle harm.
He landed awkwardly on his foot after taking a foul on a drive within the third. He initially went proper to the bench however hopped again to the locker room with workforce trainers.
The Magic dominated Suggs out within the fourth, saying Suggs sprained the ankle.
Markelle Fultz (fractured left huge toe), Gary Harris (left knee rehabilitation), Jonathan Isaac (left knee rehabilitation) and Moe Wagner (sprained proper midfoot) stay sidelined.
The Magic (0-2) will play the Boston Celtics (2-0) of their dwelling opener Saturday at Amway Center to conclude their back-to-back.
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Khobi Price at [email protected] or comply with him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com