As a lot because the Orlando Magic emphasize specializing in the method, even they’ll’t keep away from looking at the place they’re at within the standings.
It looks as if they’re utilizing it as a motivator for the common season’s final couple of months.
The Magic entered Tuesday’s 102-98 loss to the New York Knicks solely 2 1/2 video games behind the No. 10 spot within the Eastern Conference standings, which was occupied by the Indiana Pacers. The defeat moved them a 1/2 recreation additional away from the Pacers.
Seeds 7-10 in each conferences compete within the play-in match for the Nos. 7 and eight seeds within the playoffs.
“We’re very aware of what’s going on,” guard Gary Harris stated forward of Tuesday’s recreation. “We know how many games back we are. We know the teams in front of us. We know what we have to do. We have to continue to stay locked in, stay focused and continue to play together.”
If the Magic have been locked in for what was a defensive battle with the Knicks. Neither group scored greater than 26 within the first three quarters.
The Magic introduced the required give attention to that finish of the ground to maintain up with New York regardless of combating their exterior taking pictures (6-of-25 on 3-pointers).
They held the Knicks to 40 first-half factors and had a 69-66 lead heading into the fourth. But the Knicks (30-26) put up a 36-point fourth to drag out the victory.
New York’s benefit on second-chance factors (14-9), taking pictures from past the arc (15 Knicks’ 3 in comparison with the Magic’s 8) profitable the free throw battle down the stretch gave it the sting.
The Magic centered on slowing down Knicks guard Jalen Brunson early, however he nonetheless completed with a game-high 25 factors (9-of-13 taking pictures, 3 of 6 on 3s) and 5 assists. Julius Randle completed with 22 factors, 14 rebounds and 6 assists.
Markelle Fultz led the Magic with 21 factors, 6 assists and 4 rebounds.
Postseason play didn’t seem like within the image for the Magic a few months in the past.
They began 5-20 and had the league’s worst file on Dec. 6.
Fast ahead two months, together with a 17-12 stretch by which the Magic have gotten considerably more healthy, and play-in match — and playoff — aspirations are in attain.
“We still have a long to go,” Harris stated. “Still, a lot of season left and we have all our goals in front of us. We feel like the play-in game and the playoffs are realistic. Try to finish strong going into All-Star break and continue rolling.”
Magic gamers aren’t the one ones maintaining their eyes on the standings.
The coaches are, too.
“We look at that,” coach Jamahl Mosley stated. “Understanding that’s where things can go. Our guys understand that as well. But it’s also about taking care of one game at a time. That’s the process of it as well. Those things are going to be presented to us regardless of what we do. We’ve got to make sure we’re focusing on us.”
Mo Bamba served the second recreation of his league-issued four-game suspension for his position in Friday’s altercation with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Magic assigned third-year ahead Chuma Okeke to the group’s G League affiliate, the Lakeland Magic.
Okeke hasn’t performed since Nov. 21. He missed a month with left knee soreness earlier than having arthroscopic surgical procedure in mid-December.
It wasn’t often known as of Tuesday if he’ll play a recreation for Lakeland.
“As we come down this back stretch, there’s not a lot of practice time,” Mosley stated. “For him to be able to go down there, get some practice reps, get his body moving and [play] five-on-five drills, that’s going to be very important for him as he gets ramped up.”
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