If the Orlando Magic’s first three video games of the NBA season had been film scripts, you’d should squint to see the distinction within the plot.
Their three losses to the Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics to open the season — by a mixed 20 factors — had comparable arcs on the floor.
The Magic (0-3) competed right down to the wire in all three defeats, both tying the sport or holding a lead at one level within the fourth quarter, however didn’t pull out the win. It’s the main points of how the Magic have misplaced that made them powerful to soak up whereas additionally offering glimpses of encouragement.
“The little things matter,” rookie ahead Paolo Banchero stated after Saturday’s loss to the Celtics, with the Magic touring to New York to play the Knicks Monday. “Free throws, turnovers, fouls — all those things. You can play your heart out for three games, but if you don’t do the little things you’re not going to come out with the win.”
The Magic put the items of the puzzle collectively from one recreation to the following but it surely looks as if as soon as they discovered one other piece, one other went lacking.
Against the Pistons, it was reach-in fouls (23 fouls for twenty-four Detroit free throws) and poor defensive rebounding (12 offensive rebounds allowed) that undid them. They shored up the reaching and rebounding towards the Hawks however saved turning the ball over (19 turnovers for twenty-four factors), giving Atlanta simpler scoring alternatives in transition (26 fastbreak factors).
In the house opener vs. the Celtics, the Magic outrebounded Boston offensively and defensively and took care of the ball (simply 9 turnovers). But a mix of missed defensive rotations, tough-shot-making from Jayson Tatum (40 factors on 14-of-21 capturing, 4-of-10 on 3s) and missed offensive probabilities gave Boston the benefit.
Among the missed alternatives had been free throws, with the Magic capturing 65.2% (15 of 23) on the line in comparison with Boston’s 82.1% (23 of 28). They made 3 of 6 free throws within the fourth, together with a pair of Cole Anthony misses with the sport tied at 109 that might’ve given the Magic a lead with 5:21 remaining. The Magic didn’t have a lead for the ultimate 5 minutes.
“We left some points on the board,” coach Jamahl Mosley stated. “Those are the levels of concentration we’re going to continue to grow and get better in — we can’t leave those points on the board. The fact we’re getting there — that’s a major plus that we’re not afraid to continue to attack the rim.”
The Magic falling quick isn’t nearly their late execution. Basketball isn’t performed in a vacuum and what occurs early can impression a staff’s rhythm late.
Their poor transition protection early Saturday — 10 fastbreak factors allowed via the sport’s opening 7½ minutes — doubtless helped Boston set up offensive rhythm. The Celtics shot 48.3% from the sector and 40.4% on 3s.
“We have to understand the early parts of the game impact the later parts of the game,” Mosley stated. “Our guys registered that, so maybe an early turnover impacts what happens later. They did a really good job of improving in the area we’ve asked them to.”
The Magic’s movie work has helped them not repeat the identical errors from recreation to recreation. They additionally watch video games of different groups to raised perceive what’s required in late-game conditions. The Magic watched the ending of the Milwaukee Bucks’ win over the Philadelphia 76ers from Thursday at a staff Friday morning earlier than taking part in the Hawks.
“Our guys do a great job of communicating back the things they see within the game,” Mosley stated. “We’ll watch other close games to help understand what we’d do in scenarios. They understand what it is we’re trying to do — certain execution plays, when to call a timeout, when not to, the plays we can run — these guys are getting a hold of that.”
Each recreation has been a studying lesson.
“It’s great, as much as it hurts to lose a game,” veteran guard Terrence Ross stated. “The learning experience is amazing. We’ve played some really good teams. All in all, it’s going to give us confidence and let us know we can compete with anybody.”
Monday’s recreation will tip off at 7:30 from Madison Square Garden and may be watched on Bally Sports Florida/Bally Sports+ or listened to on FM 96.9 The Game.
Markelle Fultz (fractured left large toe), Gary Harris (left knee damage restoration), Jonathan Isaac (left knee damage restoration), Jalen Suggs (sprained proper ankle) and Moe Wagner (sprained proper midfoot) will likely be sidelined.
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Khobi Price at [email protected] or observe him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com