If Monday’s street win over the Philadelphia 76ers was a lesson within the significance of persistently bringing defensive depth, Wednesday’s 105-94 loss to Wells Fargo Center confirmed some nights simply aren’t a staff’s evening.
The Magic (20-32) introduced the mandatory focus to compete with the 76ers (33-17) from tipoff, in contrast to Monday. They simply didn’t make sufficient pictures to beat the 76ers for the second consecutive recreation.
Some nights, it’s simply that easy.
“We couldn’t throw it in the ocean,” coach Jamahl Mosley mentioned. “We did our job defensively. We just couldn’t find the basket.”
The Magic held the 76ers to 26 or fewer factors in every of the ultimate three quarters after Joel Embiid’s dominant first-quarter efficiency (16 factors on 4-of-7 taking pictures, 8 of 8 on free throws) gave the 76ers a 37-23 lead going into the second.
Orlando chipped away on the lead each quarter.
The Magic introduced their deficit down to three in the course of the third and saved the sport shut the remainder of the way in which. They trailed 82-81 after a Jalen Suggs 3-pointer with 11:23 remaining.
But each shot they wanted to recover from the hump late didn’t fall.
The Magic shot 5 of 18 from the sphere and a pair of of 10 on 3s within the fourth quarter during which they solely scored 16 factors.
For the sport, the Magic shot 37.5% from the sphere (33-of-88 taking pictures) and 15.4% on 3s (6-of-39).
Their 3-point share was their worst of the season when having a minimum of 30 makes an attempt. They additionally shot 22 of 29 (75.9%) on free throws after 4 of 9.
The Magic took benefit of the 76ers’ 18 turnovers, scoring 24 factors, however that wasn’t sufficient to beat the scoring woes.
Embiid led the 76ers with a 28-point, 11-rebound double-double whereas James Harden completed with a 26-point, 10-assist double-double to go together with 9 rebounds.
The Magic held the 76ers to 43.6% taking pictures from the sphere (34 of 78), however Philadelphia’s 3-point taking pictures (14 of 35 — 40%) was an excessive amount of for Orlando to beat. Especially since their pictures didn’t fall.
“We didn’t make shots,” Mosley mentioned. “Joel played well. James played well. The other guys stepped in and made big, timely shots. For us, we didn’t make shots.”
Markelle Fultz had a team-high 18 factors.
Jalen Suggs had a career-high 5 steals to go together with 11 factors, 4 rebounds and three assists in 26 minutes off the bench.
Starting huge man Wendell Carter Jr. (9 factors, 13 rebounds) was out there after being listed as questionable getting into the matchup due to strained proper plantar fascia — the tender tissue beneath the foot.
Jonathan Isaac wasn’t out there Wednesday evening.
The Magic dominated out Isaac for the matchup a number of hours earlier than tipoff due to left knee harm administration. He was initially added to the staff’s harm report at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday earlier than being dominated out a number of hours later.
Isaac performed his first NBA recreation in over 2½ years within the Jan. 23 win over the Boston Celtics, recording 10 factors (4-for-7 taking pictures, 2 of three on 3-pointers), 3 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 help in 10 minutes.
He’s performed 4 video games since returning, averaging 5.5 factors, 2.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 9 minutes.
Isaac additionally sat out Friday’s loss at Miami, the primary evening of a back-to-back.
“Coming back from so much time off, we’re going to continue to monitor that and take extra precautions to make sure he’s going to be OK going forward,” Mosley mentioned. “Not trying to do too much and keep monitoring his situation.”
Isaac had 2 factors, 3 rebounds and 1 steal in 10 minutes in Monday’s win over the 76ers at Wells Fargo Center.
“Obviously sore,” Mosley responded when requested how Isaac felt after Monday’s recreation. “But we’re going to continue to look at that as we go on. It’s not going to be the last time it happens just because we always want to take extra precautions.”
Isaac has been on a decent taking part in time restriction of 8-10 minutes since returning.
He mentioned he’s bodily felt “good” whereas additionally readjusting to being again on the ground.
“I don’t want to say it’s a shock in terms of what playing in the NBA is like but it is a different game and process to actually getting to where you feel really good,” Isaac advised the Orlando Sentinel forward of Monday’s recreation. “I wouldn’t say I’m there but, however I’m on my approach.
“I’m still just continuing to get comfortable. Taking my time. There’s a part of me that’s trying to get it all back in one moment, in one possession. I just got to continue to just let it come to me. It’s tough in eight minutes, but I feel good.”
Isaac added that he’s adjusting to discovering the place to be extra aggressive offensively in restricted taking part in time whereas taking part in inside the circulation of the offense.
He’s taken 20 area aim makes an attempt in 36 minutes.
“That’s what’s difficult,” Isaac mentioned. “I’ve got to a better job of just trying to gel with the guys and try to figure out the best way to go about trying to impact the game and doing it in the confinements of our offense. It’s just something I’ve got to keep working at.”
He added that there have but to be conversations about when his minutes restriction will enhance.
“We’re implementing different things,” Isaac mentioned Monday. “First it was all at home. Now, this is the first time playing 8 minutes after a travel day with the NBA. I’m sure I’ll do a couple of these and see where we’re at.”
Isaac is staying affected person by way of all of it.
“It’s OK,” Isaac responded when requested in regards to the affected person strategy to his taking part in time. “I want to do this right. Trying to throw me out there for 15 minutes right away is tough. I’m OK with the process and keep it moving.”
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Khobi Price at [email protected] or comply with him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com