Listen carefully to the Orlando Magic and the shift of their method is noticeable in comparison with this time final 12 months. Or even earlier this season.
Throughout final season and the early levels of this one, nearly each dialog was centered round improvement.
Improvement continues to be the Magic’s focus however they’ve made it recognized they’re enjoying for greater than that, which was evident of their 100-91 Monday highway win over the Chicago Bulls.
“We’re just playing for something,” Franz Wagner mentioned after the victory. “We’re not far out from the play-in games. Every game matters for us. That’s how we got to approach every game.”
Although the Magic had that very same method coming into Tuesday night’s 123-113 loss to the Raptors in Toronto, Orlando’s final recreation earlier than the All-Star break, it didn’t present within the ways in which mattered.
The Magic’s defensive efficiency didn’t match the usual they set for themselves over the earlier 15 video games, wherein ranked No. 8 in defensive ranking (factors allowed per 100 possessions).
The Raptors shot 60.2% from the sphere (50 of 83) and dominated the inside, scoring 74 factors within the paint.
Even when the Raptors (28-31) have been lacking pictures, they managed the offensive glass. Led by Jakob Poeltl (30 factors on 15-for-17 taking pictures, 9 rebounds — together with 5 offensive boards — and 6 blocks), Toronto collected 13 offensive rebounds for 18 second-chance factors.
Both groups struggled with giveaways however the Raptors took higher benefit of the turnovers, scoring 29 factors, and had 22 factors on quick breaks.
The lack of defensive fortitude, albeit on the second evening of a back-to-back, was an excessive amount of for the Magic (24-35) to beat regardless of their scorching taking pictures (51.2% total, 41.9% on 3s).
Orlando was led by Wendell Carter Jr.’s 26 factors, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Jalen Suggs added 24 factors (9 of 12) and 4 assists in 29 minutes off the bench.
The Raptors and Washington Wizards entered Tuesday three video games forward of the Magic for the ultimate two spots within the East’s play-in match standings. Tuesday’s loss gave Toronto an additional recreation benefit.
The Bulls (three video games forward) and the Indiana Pacers (one recreation forward) are also in arm’s every.
Seeds 7-10 in each conferences compete within the play-in match for the Nos. 7 and eight seeds within the playoffs.
The Magic are utilizing their play-in match/playoffs aspirations to gasoline them through the season’s ultimate stretch.
They’ll have 23 regular-season video games left to catch the groups forward of them after the break.
“That’s the great part about this team,” coach Jamahl Mosley mentioned. “You challenge them with that knowing the circumstances and they’ve accepted the challenge. They don’t worry about the pressure of it because they’ve been prepared to do these things. Just being more of themselves is what we’ve asked them to do.”
Cole Anthony wasn’t accessible for the second consecutive recreation due to proper wrist (taking pictures hand) soreness.
Jonathan Isaac additionally sat due to left knee harm administration. He hasn’t performed each ends of a back-to-back since his return on Jan. 23.
Third-year guard R.J. Hampton and newly signed middle Goga Bitadze weren’t accessible, with their designation on the crew’s harm report being “not with [the] team.”
Hampton might be waived or have his contract with the Magic purchased out, league sources advised the Orlando Sentinel earlier within the week. It’d give Hampton an opportunity to get extra constant enjoying time elsewhere.
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