After Wednesday’s season-opening loss to the Detroit Pistons, one among coach Jamahl Mosley’s messages to the Orlando Magic was easy.
“Stop reaching,” Mosley stated. “If you trust your positioning and get there on time, you don’t have to reach for the basketball.”
The message was exact as a result of, to Mosley, the answer to one of many points the Magic had in Detroit wasn’t difficult and will have been amplified main into Friday’s 108-98 loss to the Hawks at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
“It’s very simple,” Mosley stated. “On closeouts, sit down, understand who it is you’re guarding and don’t reach for the basketball. Play positional defense, get your chest in front of the guy and sit down and guard.”
The message was heard.
“It’s just discipline,” guard Terrence Ross stated. “Got to learn from when guys are driving, no need to reach. Keep your hands out, keep your hands up.”
While the execution was higher Friday in comparison with Wednesday, the Magic nonetheless have work to do in different areas.
Reaches weren’t the one subject that plagued Orlando in opposition to the Pistons. Turnovers and defensive rebounding had been additionally issues. Giveaways remained a problem in opposition to Atlanta, with the Magic having 19 turnovers for twenty-four Atlanta factors, together with 16 within the remaining three quarters for 22 factors.
The Magic’s tendency to succeed in regardless of having good defensive positioning undid them in opposition to Detroit with Orlando committing 24 fouls — 7 within the fourth — and the Pistons making an attempt 24 free throws.
The Magic did a greater job of defending with out fouling in opposition to the Hawks, who’ve what Mosley known as a “dynamic backcourt” in Trae Young and Dejounte Murray.
Orlando fouled the Hawks 19 instances, limiting them to 16 free throws.
“We did good with defending without fouling,” Paolo Banchero stated. “That was one of the good things we did.”
Young is particularly expert at drawing fouls, ending within the prime 10 of free-throw makes an attempt per sport the earlier three seasons.
The Magic did an incredible job defending Young within the first half (2 factors — 0-of-7 and 0-of 5 on 3s — 8 assists and three turnovers) however he bought free within the second, ending with 25 factors (7-of-24, 4-of-11 on 3s), 13 assists and 6 turnovers.
Murray had 20 factors, 9 assists, 9 rebounds, 3 steals and seven turnovers. John Collins recorded 23 factors (9-of-14, 3-of-4 on 3s) and 13 rebounds. Atlanta shot 41.9% on 3s (13-of-31) in comparison with Orlando’s 23.5% (8-of-34).
Cole Anthony, who made his season debut Friday after sitting out Wednesday’s sport and Thursday’s apply due to an sickness, led Orlando with 25 factors (8-of-12, 4-of-5 on 3s) in 28 minutes.
Paolo Banchero had 20 factors and 12 rebounds for his first double-double along with 3 blocks.
“That’s always going to be our game keys,” Mosley stated. “That’s part of showing your hands, positional defense first. And forcing the contested tough shot. Not necessarily going to get the block but contest the shot first. Now you’re in a position for our other guys to help rebound.”
Anthony, who got here off the bench for the primary time since April 14, 2021, had been a game-time determination heading into Friday, with Mosley saying that Anthony was in a position to undergo “a little bit” of Friday morning’s shootaround.
Jalen Suggs left Friday’s sport within the third quarter with an ankle harm, later being dominated out.
He landed awkwardly on his foot after taking a foul on a drive within the third. He initially went proper to the bench however hopped again to the locker room with group trainers.
The Magic dominated Suggs out within the fourth, saying Suggs sprained the ankle.
Markelle Fultz (fractured left massive toe), Gary Harris (left knee rehabilitation), Jonathan Isaac (left knee rehabilitation) and Moe Wagner (sprained proper midfoot) stay sidelined.
The Magic will play the Boston Celtics of their dwelling opener Saturday at Amway Center to conclude their back-to-back.
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