For the Orlando Magic, Wednesday’s 116-111 house extra time victory over the Los Angeles Clippers was essential.
Not simply to finish their season-long shedding streak at 9 video games. But to take care of the idea in what they’re constructing — within the brief and long run.
After largely shedding shut video games to begin the season, the Magic had extra lopsided losses in the course of the shedding streak. They’ve misplaced six video games after trailing by at the very least 20 factors within the second half. Five of these losses occurred in the course of the slide.
It regarded like Wednesday was going to be one other a type of extra lopsided losses when the Clippers took a 21-6 lead halfway by means of the primary quarter and led 32-14 on the finish of the primary behind good 3-point capturing (6 of 10) and sloppy play from the Magic (7 turnovers).
But the Magic tightened issues up for his or her first victory since Nov. 18 over the Chicago Bulls.
“In order to keep going, you need successes like this,” mentioned Moe Wagner, who had 20 factors, 13 rebounds, 3 assists and a pair of steals. “I know we talk about long-term all the time but as a competitor, and we all are competitive, you need those in order to come to work every day and give it your all. That’s something we needed.”
How the Magic pulled out the victory was simply as vital.
They didn’t win due to scorching 3-point capturing (8 of 28 for 28.6%) or as a result of a single participant carried them offensively. Paolo Banchero had a game-high 23 factors, together with 10 in extra time, on 5-of-13 capturing and 13 of 14 on free throws however he was one in every of three gamers who scored at the very least 20 factors (Wagner and Bol Bol).
It took a collective, particularly defensively.
The Magic didn’t overcompensate for the Clippers’ scorching capturing from past the arc. They caught with their gameplan — defending the paint (40 factors allowed to a Los Angeles group that averaged 44.2) — and made essential changes, together with blitzing Paul George and Kawhi Leonard in hopes of getting the ball out of their fingers.
They held the Clippers to 79 factors within the remaining 41 minutes (three quarters plus extra time) — a defensive ranking of 96.3 factors per 100 possessions. The Cleveland Cavaliers’ season-long 106.6 defensive ranking is the league’s finest mark.
“It was very important for us because it showed when we lock in on defense and do everything correctly, we could definitely be a good defensive team,” Bol mentioned. “All of our defense led to fastbreak points and easy offense. As long as we focus on our defense, that’ll translate to offense.”
What additionally helped the offense was reducing down on turnovers, solely having 6 after the primary quarter.
“We did a great job with turnovers and played very disciplined,” Wagner mentioned. “That’s the base: Energy and discipline. For us, that’s not turning over the ball. If we do that, we give each other a chance. It gives us a chance every night.”
The Magic will begin a baseball-style collection vs. the Toronto Raptors Friday earlier than taking part in them once more Sunday at Amway Center.
They misplaced to the Raptors 121-108 final Saturday in Toronto after permitting 56% capturing, 12 offensive rebounds and solely recording 24 defensive rebounds.
“Every win is important,” coach Jamahl Mosley mentioned. “Every piece of the little things we continue to do are going to be important. We’ll celebrate this one tonight, but understand there’s work that needs to be done. Little things on boxing out, rebounding and execution down the stretch.”
Wendell Carter Jr. (strained proper plantar fascia), Gary Harris (strained proper hamstring), Jonathan Isaac (left knee harm restoration), Chuma Okeke (left knee soreness) and Jalen Suggs (proper ankle soreness) will sit Friday.
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