Orlando Magic Grades: Charlotte Hornets 106, Orlando Magic 100
The Orlando Magic struggled defensively in the second half with effort and energy. But there were some positives to highlight individually in the opener.
Final. 100. 38. 106. 170
The Orlando Magic preseason opened with a bit of a perplexing effort.
Scott Skiles spent the time coming into the game talking about how good the energy and effort was and the hope that things would carry over. They did in flashes. Skiles left the game frustrated with his team’s effort and energy and how the team could not defend anything, particularly in the second half.
Skiles admitted Victor Oladipo stood out among the players in the starting unit, but wanted to mute that praise some. He was out there with a group and the group did not do its job getting into the second half. Skiles said he was not one to put blame on a single player when it was a collective unit that failed.
And so he sat every single one of his starters early in the second half. He was saving them for the work that would come Sunday in practice.
There was some good to point out and some evaluations to make though in the game overall now that we have had our first look at the Magic in a competitive setting.
SG. Orlando Magic. VICTOR OLADIPO. B. Overall, Victor Oladipo was very good. He scored 16 points on 6-for-8 shooting and added five rebounds and three assists in 20 minutes. Among the starters, Skiles is right that Oladipo was the best among that bunch. He did a good job getting out in transition and finding his points within the offense. He did not force too much of anything. Defensively, any errors he made were not too noticeable. But he was part of the group that started the third quarter so poorly. It is on him as a leader to change that and push the team through those doldrums.
C+. <strong><a href=. SF. Orlando Magic. MARIO HEZONJA
PF. Orlando Magic. ANDREW NICHOLSON. B+. <strong><a href=
C.J. Watson’s first game in a Magic uniform was a bit of a mixed bag. He shot just 2 for 10 from the floor, making only one of his five 3-point attempts. He finished with five points and five assists. More than that, <strong><a href=. G. Orlando Magic. C.J. WATSON. C+
. CHARLOTTE HORNETS. B. Overall, Charlotte had a solid game. There was nothing to write too much home about. It was a preseason game and the Hornets made some nice adjustments and got to the line in the second half to pull out the win. It was impressive watching them move the ball and get open shots in the first half, even if they were not falling. They stuck to their stuff and were rewarded for it. There was no huge effort from their stars. <strong><a href=.