Orlando Magic Grades: Orlando Magic 101, Los Angeles Lakers 99
The Orlando Magic struggled its way to a two-point win on Nikola Vucevic‘s game-winning basket. They got contributions from unlikely places to win.
Final. 101. 38. 99. 20
Nikola Vucevic bailed out the Orlando Magic on an otherwise forgettable night for the team in a 101-99 win over the Los Angeles Lakers at Amway Center on Wednesday.
The Magic ran a designed play to get Vucevic the ball. The first option, a backdoor cut for Evan Fournier was taken away by Metta World Peace‘s brute strength. Vucevic caught the ball and seeing that option taken away turned and fired over Roy Hibbert.
It was a bailout in every way for the Magic.
Orlando shot just 40 percent and struggled immensely to find any offensive rhythm. The team grabbed offensive rebounds and had second-chance opportunities, but could not finish them. The Magic could not finish in the lane either.
Coach Scott Skiles was more upset with his team’s struggles defensively and the Magic’s inability to get stops consistently. Orlando had its hands downs and was not challenging shots effectively. The team struggled too in rotations.
Skiles had every right to be frustrated and upset after the game. The Magic did not play up to his standard.
At least they won though.
B. <p>Nikola Vucevic made a surprise return to the lineup after missing three games with a bone bruise, coming off the bench in this one. He provided an immediate spark too as the Magic got off to a sluggish start. He immediately made a few baskets and that got things beginning.</p><p>Vucevic scored 18 points and grabbed five rebound sin 25:34. A solid debut for him. He was able to spread the floor with his jumper and made shots pretty consistently. Obviously he made the big one.</p><p>He was as guilty as anyone for poor defense. He got caught on the pick and roll with his hands down. Generally though he was sticking to his man and doing a good job cutting off dribble penetration. Maybe he stuck with the ball handler too long, not getting to the roll man in time. Everyone was off though.</p>. C. Orlando Magic. NIKOLA VUCEVIC
B+. <p><strong><a href=. G. Orlando Magic. SHABAZZ NAPIER
C-. <p>When the offense struggles like it did for the Magic, blame has to fall on the point guard. <strong><a href=. PG. Orlando Magic. ELFRID PAYTON
B. <p>The Orlando Magic needed an offensive spark in the first half and found it in <strong><a href=. F/C. Orlando Magic. CHANNING FRYE
14th West. LOS ANGELES LAKERS. B. <p>The Los Angeles Lakers have to feel pretty bad about losing this game. They played well for them. A one-win team has to take wins wherever they can get them and whenever they pop up. Tonight was that opportunity.</p><p>The Lakers dictated the tempo and got a lot of what they wanted for most of the game. They picked up steam in the fourth quarter by getting to the foul line and forcing the Magic to defend their half-court speed in the pick and roll.</p><p>Now, this is a bad Lakers team. They committed 14 turnovers for 21 Magic points. This was their game to win and every time Los Angeles seemed poised to take the lead or pull away, the team made a mistake and failed to do so. The Magic were more than good enough to pull away and just never did. The Lakers missed an opportunity here.</p>. 1-7