The Orlando Magic aren’t being shy about their wishes to qualify for the play-in event.
But they perceive for them to get there, they’ll must do a greater job in opposition to groups in direction of the underside of the standings.
They took an vital step with Thursday evening’s 108-106 dwelling win over the Detroit Pistons, with Wendell Carter Jr.’s putback dunk earlier than the buzzer giving the Magic the victory.
The Pistons entered the matchup with the league’s third-worst document and worst within the East.
“We look at the numbers sometimes and understand that we have to do a better job of having respect for every team no matter what their record is or who’s out there playing,” Carter stated forward of Thursday’s recreation. “This is the NBA. Everybody’s here for a reason. We got to do a better job of locking in and playing the same way no matter who’s on the opposite side.”
Securing the victory wasn’t straightforward.
The Magic (25-35) and Pistons (16-44) confirmed indicators of rust of their first video games after the All-Star break.
Orlando shot 42.1% on 2-pointers and struggled with attacking Detroit’s inside protection. The Pistons turned the ball over 21 occasions which led to 21 factors for Orlando.
But the Magic’s inside protection (26 factors allowed within the paint) and possession benefit (95 field-goal makes an attempt to Detroit’s 81) had been the difference-makers.
Franz Wagner, 21 factors on 7-of-13 capturing and a pair of of 5 on 3s, made a pair of free throws with 8.7 seconds to provide the Magic a 106-103 lead with 8.7 seconds remaining.
Jaden Ivey (team-high 25 factors and 4 assists) made a contested 3 over Carter 3 seconds later to tie the rating at 106.
The Magic ran their ultimate play for Paolo Banchero (11 factors, 6 rebounds, 6 assists), who missed the layup within the waning seconds, however the putback by Carter (14 factors, 14 rebounds) simply earlier than the clock hit zero secured the win.
The Magic had six different gamers rating in double figures, together with Cole Anthony (15 factors, 4 assists and 4 rebounds) and Jonathan Isaac (10 factors and seven rebounds in a season-high 16 minutes).
The Magic have picked up their play and focus in opposition to the league’s finest groups, particularly during the last two months.
They’ve picked up vital wins over the Boston Celtics (thrice), Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers and Denver Nuggets since mid-December.
They’ve additionally had the tendency of not bringing that very same high quality of play in opposition to groups beneath or close to them within the standings.
The Magic entered Thursday 12-18 in video games in opposition to groups with information higher than .500 and 12-17 vs. groups with information beneath .500.
Every workforce inside arm’s attain of the Magic within the East additionally entered Thursday with sub-.500 information in opposition to the league’s higher groups. But additionally they had successful information in opposition to the groups with sub-.500 information.
This is a spot the Magic must make up for in the course of the season’s final stretch.
“That’s why it’s about us more than it is about who we face,” coach Jamahl Mosley stated. “Those ranges of particulars are going to be extra vital regardless of who it’s.
“Are we boxing out? Are we coming across the lane, protecting the rim? Are we flying and contesting shots? Are we doing that no matter who we play? And then understanding personnel. Offensively, are we sharing the basketball? Are we moving it the right way? Are we trusting how we’re cutting? Obviously, there’s going to be different types of opponents, but we have to make sure we’re taking care of us.”
Caleb Houstan (G League task with Orlando’s G League affiliate, the Lakeland Magic) and two-way guard Kevon Harris (transferred to Lakeland) had been the lone Magic gamers not accessible.
It marked the primary time the Magic didn’t have a participant sidelined due to an harm since Aug. 2, 2020, when Isaac tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
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