Orlando Magic Grades: Washington Wizards 88, Orlando Magic 87
The Orlando Magic had some strong performances from new faces and some points where the team continues to struggle in their opening loss to the Wizards.
142. Final. 87. 38. 88
The Orlando Magic did a lot of things well and showed off exactly what kind of team they might be in the very near future. The ball moved crisply on offense for most of the night and the defense made life difficult for the Washington Wizards.
The game came down to the final possession and even that ended in controversy.
Tobias Harris shot a layup with about three seconds left that hung on the rim before falling off. When, or if, it fell off the referees called a goaltend on Bradley Beal. But they eventually waved it off and gave the Magic the ball since they got the rebound.
Nikola Vucevic attempted a fadeaway from the elbow at the buzzer, but it fell no good.
The Magic did plenty of good, but still had moments where they lost their focus and gave into frustration or elation in game. And, of course, Orlando struggled to keep its composure late in the game and failed to execute to get a win.
It feels like much of the same, even with the signs the team showed.
B+. <p>What a debut for the rookie sharpshooter. <strong><a href=. SF. Orlando Magic. MARIO HEZONJA
VICTOR OLADIPO. C-. <p>A lot of expectation has been heaped on <strong><a href=. G. Orlando Magic
C. <p>Nikola Vucevic had a pretty typical game for the Orlando Magic. He showed what he was good at anyway and flashed of what he could become. His score line was not particularly outstanding — 10 points, 5-for-13 shooting and just seven rebounds. But he did some things that would certainly turn some heads if they become consistent.</p><p>Vucevic finished with two blocks and actually did a decent job protecting the rim. Or maybe he did not. While he was good at getting into position and contesting shots, the Wizards still finished over him. He gave up 5-for-8 shooting at the rim. There is still some room for improvement statistically, but Vucevic was active and game to try tonight. The eye test, at least, made Vucevic seem better than he actually was.</p><p>Offensively, Vucevic began the night hot, showing off his jumper and good touch in the post. He made a nice move as a trailer to catch the ball, spin past <strong><a href=. C. Orlando Magic. NIKOLA VUCEVIC
A-. <p><strong><a href=. PG. Orlando Magic. ELFRID PAYTON
B. <p>The Washington Wizards certainly believe they can take a step up this year. And so winning ugly games like this will be important for them. This was a win they are not necessarily proud of, but a necessary one for them to get where they are going. Or want to head.</p><p>Washington did not play its best game. The team shot 39.3 percent. They played with the pace they wanted though and got the Magic scrambling a bit defensively. They did not hit the shots they needed to blow the game open. But Washington controlled the game for most of the first half and a good chunk of the third quarter.</p><p>Putting together a wild two-minute comeback is also a positive for this team. Good teams find ways to win when they do not have their best effort. The Wizards did that. The hope for them is that this game is an isolated incident and that they do better next time out.</p>. 1-0. 1st Southeast. WASHINGTON WIZARDS