Entering 2023, the Orlando Magic seemed like a workforce in want of a break and time to refresh themselves.
They acquired simply that after final Friday’s house loss to the Washington Wizards, getting 4 days between video games forward of Wednesday’s 126-115 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder at Amway Center.
The victory ended the Magic’s dropping streak at three video games and put them at 14-24 on the season. Orlando didn’t choose up its 14th victory final season till Feb. 25, 2022 — the primary recreation after the All-Star break.
Outside of the All-Star break, having 4 days between video games is uncommon. The Magic used that point to rejuvenate their our bodies — not working towards Saturday and Sunday — and to concentrate on the main points in practices Monday and Tuesday that they have been lacking in the course of the dropping streak.
“Our ability to sit down and teach the things we’ve continued to talk about,” coach Jamahl Mosley mentioned pregame in regards to the worth of the break between video games. “Being capable of get that restart/refresh. Guarding the basketball, how we’re guarding pick-and-rolls, understanding the place our presence is within the paint. Defensive rebounding. Moving the basketball and trusting the cross.
“We hit the restart button. Being able to move without the basketball. Not just driving and putting the ball on the floor, but being able to score off the ball as well. We reviewed that — how to do it as well as defend it. Oklahoma City and [the] Memphis [Grizzlies] coming in are also good cutting teams.”
The Magic seemed refreshed towards the Thunder.
They moved the ball regularly and with a function, serving to them create the house to drive into the paint or get to the free throw line.
Their power was palpable early in comparison with their earlier three video games, particularly defensively, permitting them to leap out to a 70-53 lead at halftime and a 22-point benefit in the course of the third quarter.
The Thunder stymied the Magic’s offensive circulation halfway by the third, serving to lower Orlando’s result in seven and making the fourth uncomfortable for the Magic.
But Paolo Banchero (team-high 25 factors on 8-of-17 capturing, 8 rebounds and seven assists) helped the Magic shut out the sport with the win.
Eight of the Magic’s 9 obtainable gamers scored in double figures: Wendell Carter Jr. (13 factors and 13 rebounds), Markelle Fultz (13 factors, 6 rebounds and 4 assists), Gary Harris (18 factors), Terrence Ross (18 factors), Mo Bamba (10 factors), Caleb Houstan (11 factors) and R.J. Hampton (12 factors).
The Magic shot 51.9% from the sector (42 of 81) and 39.4% on 3s (13 of 33, and recorded 26 assists.
“It’s fantastic,” Mosley mentioned. “Our guys were great. Their ability to share the basketball. Understanding that what we’ve talked about the whole time: attack the paint, spray out, find the open man and step into your shot with confidence.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder (16-22) with 33 factors and 4 assists.
Orlando dropped its earlier three video games getting into Wednesday: 129-110 to the Los Angeles Lakers (Dec. 27), 121-101 at Detroit (Dec. 28) and 119-100 to the Wizards.
“This is unheard of for me,” mentioned guard Cole Anthony, who had 6 assists and 6 factors. “My first two seasons, I don’t remember getting time like this except for maybe the All-Star break. It’s important we get these practices in being a young team, getting that rest. It helps everyone hit that reset button.”
The Magic needed to take care of a depleted roster due to suspensions stemming from an on-court altercation with the Pistons — when a lot of the workforce’s reserve gamers left the bench, a violation of league guidelines — however must be extra entire for Thursday’s house matchup vs. the Grizzlies, the second night time of a back-to-back.
Kevon Harris, Admiral Schofield and Franz Wagner served their one-game suspensions on Wednesday whereas Moe Wagner served the second recreation of his suspension.
Moe Wagner was initially scheduled to serve the primary recreation of his suspension towards the Wizards, however the league launched an announcement Wednesday morning saying, “NBA rules require that a player must be physically able to play in order to serve a league suspension. Due to illness, Wagner was not physically able to play against the Wizards.”
He’ll serve the second recreation of his suspension towards the Grizzlies earlier than being eligible to return.
Bol Bol (well being and security protocols), Chuma Okeke (left knee surgical procedure), Jalen Suggs (proper ankle soreness) and Jonathan Isaac (left knee harm restoration) additionally have been out.
“Watch the game from a different point of view,” Mosley mentioned about what he requested of the suspended gamers. “Which is great because now they can go back and talk to the guys that’ve played and they can see that perspective of what they’re seeing on TV and what we look like as a whole. It helps the locker room and levels of communication.”
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