There are sometimes two approaches NBA groups have for his or her preseason finale: Keep experimenting with the anticipated rotation gamers as a part of a “dress rehearsal” or give them a relaxation earlier than the video games begin to matter within the standings.
Both approaches have been on show within the Orlando Magic’s 114-108 preseason-ending win over the Cleveland Cavaliers Friday at Amway Center.
While the Cavaliers sat three starters in Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen, the Magic continued to tinker.
Orlando used its fifth totally different beginning unit in as many video games, with Cole Anthony, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, Wendell Carter Jr. and Mo Bamba being the primary unit.
Markelle Fultz (fractured large left toe), Gary Harris (left knee rehabilitation), Jonathan Isaac (left knee rehabilitation) and Jalen Suggs (left knee capsule sprain and bone bruise) remained sidelined.
Coach Jamahl Mosley hasn’t shied away from taking part in larger lineups throughout coaching camp and preseason exhibitions, with the aforementioned group having three guys listed as 6-foot-10 (Wagner, Banchero and Carter) and Bamba listed as 7 toes.
“It’s four [at least] 6-10 guys who can make decisions,” Mosley stated. “Yes, there is a level of adjustments that they’re used to doing certain things, but their ability to make decisions is what we keep working with them on and ask them to do.”
Bol Bol, 7-foot-2, crammed in for Bamba to start out the third quarter.
The experimentation didn’t cease there, with Mosley taking part in lineups that noticed little or no time collectively in earlier video games, together with a unit of Bol, Franz Wagner, Terrence Ross, Chuma Okeke and Moe Wagner.
Moe Wagner exited within the second quarter after spraining his proper ankle.
“We told our guys they need to understand it’s more going to be about rotation, fits and feels as we move into that first [regular season] game,” Mosley stated. “Guys playing maybe longer minutes or shorter stints, but it’s a way to look at that.”
All 5 starters performed a minimum of 20 minutes, largely within the first three quarters.
Banchero led Orlando with 17 factors (6-of-12 FGs), 5 rebounds and a couple of assists. Anthony had 14 factors (4-of-7 FGs, 6-of-6 on free throws) whereas Franz Wagner recorded 13 factors, 4 rebounds and 4 assists.
The Magic, who trailed by as many as 7 with eight minutes remaining, pulled off the comeback win behind the all-bench lineup of R.J. Hampton, Devin Cannady, Kevon Harris, Caleb Houstan and Admiral Schofield.
Houstan led the bench with 11 factors (4-of-6 FGs, 3-of-4 on 3s) — all of which have been scored within the fourth.
The Magic, who went 4-1 within the preseason with 4 consecutive wins, open the common season towards the Pistons Wednesday in Detroit.
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