Rookie ahead Caleb Houstan is again the place he began the season: within the Orlando Magic’s rotation.
Houstan, the No. 32 choose in final 12 months’s draft, has performed within the Magic’s final six video games, together with Tuesday’s 113-108 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies (48-27) at FedExForum.
Averaging 18.3 minutes within the first 5, Houstan logged simply 9 minutes and failed to attain Tuesday as Orlando trailed by 23 and minimize it to three twice within the waning seconds earlier than having its three-game successful streak snapped.
Franz Wagner (25 factors) and Paolo Banchero (24 factors, 11 rebounds) led the Magic (32-44).
“We’ve said from the beginning [that] his basketball IQ is high,” coach Jamahl Mosley mentioned about Houstan earlier than tipoff. “He does a great job of recognizing where he needs to be offensively and defensively and his ability to space the floor. Guys recognize he can make shots. His ability to create lanes and openings for our guys has been great.”
The Grizzlies, led by Desmond Bane’s 31 factors, 5 assists and 4 rebounds, blocked off the paint early and compelled the Magic into 6 opening-quarter turnovers.
Memphis, which was with out All-Star guard Ja Morant due to a sore proper thigh, took a 32-15 lead on the finish of the primary that ballooned to 81-58 halfway by way of the third.
The Magic received the ultimate three quarters however didn’t recover from the hump regardless of Wagner’s 16 fourth-quarter factors.
“They hit us in the mouth early,” Mosley mentioned. “Not being able to step into the game right away [hurt us]. That’s been this group all year, being able to compete night in and night out no matter what’s happening.”
Before this stretch, Houstan would primarily be within the rotation when different gamers have been injured.
Jalen Suggs being sidelined for 4 video games due to a concussion opened up taking part in time earlier than he returned in Sunday’s residence win over the Brooklyn Nets. Suggs (2 factors) shot 1-for-10 in 24 minutes.
But it seems to be like Houstan will keep within the rotation for the season’s ultimate stretch.
“It gave him an opportunity to step in, finding what he’s capable of doing and being able to see that was important,” Mosley mentioned. “It goes back to that high basketball IQ. He brings a level of calm to that group. He knows he’s going to be in the right space offensively and defensively.”
Houstan’s had periodic stints with the group’s Lakeland G League affiliate the final couple of months when not in Orlando’s lineup.
This gave Houstan significant taking part in time for his improvement.
He averaged 16.3 factors (36.6% 3-point accuracy on 8.4 makes an attempt) and 29.4 minutes in 12 video games with Lakeland earlier than rejoining the NBA workforce for the end-of-season stretch.
“They run the same type of stuff, so getting those reps, playing like 30-something minutes a game really helps you,” Houstan informed the Orlando Sentinel. “It’s very similar. It helps a lot.”
Houstan’s 3-point accuracy has taken a dip during the last couple of weeks, however the Magic are encouraging him to maintain letting it fly.
“He’s getting time on the floor, which is very important,” Mosley mentioned. “He’s able to recognize the scenarios where he can get a shot. Obviously, the one thing he’s done very well defensively is being in the right position. That’s been a huge area of growth for him. And his ability to crash the offensive glass. He does a great job there either stopping the break or giving us another possession.”
The No. 13 Magic may’ve drawn even with the Twelfth-place Indiana Pacers (33-43) with a victory. They play at No. 11 Washington (34-42) on Friday.
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Khobi Price at [email protected] or observe him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com