The Orlando Magic have undoubtedly had their share of ups and downs. They are currently rebuilding and are coming off two humiliating losses and one tight victory. While losing is expected during a rebuilding year, no fan wants to see their team in the news for allowing a player to score 50 points on them. That is just what occurred to the Magic last week, as they lost two consecutive games. The Magic were blown out by the Brooklyn Nets, 150-108, on Tuesday night, followed by another painful loss, 134-120, to the Detroit Pistons. Fortunately, the Magic prevail over the Thunder despite their clear disadvantage. What went wrong with the Magic?
The Magic enabled Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving to score a career-high 60 points on 20 of 31 shooting, including 8 of 12 from beyond the arc. They not only allowed him to score 60, but they allowed him to do so in style. He drew multiple defenders, scored numerous three-pointers, and made countless trips to the free throw line. The Magic simply did not have a response for Kyrie, as evidenced by the scoreboard. The Nets shot 60% from the field and 59% from behind the three-point arc as a team. Magic defenses did not exist. On the other hand, Brooklyn limited Orlando to 37% shooting from the field and 36% from behind the three-point line. Cole Anthony led Orlando with 19 points on 5-of-11 shooting from the floor.
The loss was difficult for the Magic, but they attempted to rebound the against the Detroit Pistons. Unfortunately, they were unable to do so and were defeated once more, this time by a score of 14 points. Orlando faced a similar situation in the second game. The Magic surrendered another 50-plus point effort, this time to Pistons small forward Saddiq Bey. Saddiq finished with 51 points on 17 of 27 shooting, including 10 of 14 from beyond the arc, and nine rebounds. On both ends of the floor, he was a force to be reckoned with, and the Magic had no answer for him. The Pistons shot 50% from the field and 46% from beyond the arc as a team. Orlando shot 48% from the field and 36% from behind the three-point line. Franz Wagner led Orlando with 26 points on ten-of-fifteen shooting. In the end, Orlando’s offense simply couldn’t keep up with Detroit’s. The Magic performed a better job defensively, but it wasn’t enough.
Orlando overcame the struggling Oklahoma City Thunder in their final game of the week. OKC was without their top two players, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey, who are currently on an eight-game losing run. The Magic should have capitalized on this, but they won by only five points. This demonstrates the Magic’s inability to compete against superior teams.
What went wrong with the Magic? It’s simple; they lack a viable offensive strategy, and their defense has been non-existent. The Magic have a great deal of work ahead of them. They need to find a way to strengthen their offense and their defense. If they can accomplish it, they may be able to begin winning games. Until then, the Magic will face a difficult road. In a rebuild, these types of losses are expected, but it is still hard to watch as a fan. The Magic will look to bounce back against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night. We can only hope they put up a better fight.
