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Orlando Magic Grades: San Antonio Spurs 98, Orlando Magic 96

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Feb 10, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) passes the ball as Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) defends during the second half at Amway Center. San Antonio defeated Orlando 98-96. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 10, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) passes the ball as Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) defends during the second half at Amway Center. San Antonio defeated Orlando 98-96. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Orlando Magic raced ahead and nearly stole a victory from the San Antonio Spurs. Some late-game gaffes & turns for the worse from key players cost them

The Orlando Magic were on the wrong side of another heartbreaker again. And in much the same way as they have lost numerous other games, leaving a team feeling like things have begun to turn around but still frustrated over an end result that had become all too familiar.

Kawhi Leonard drained a jump shot with 0.9 seconds left over the strong defense of Aaron Gordon. The Magic were able to throw the ball the length of the floor before Elfrid Payton missed the layup and the chance to tie.

The Magic’s loss was again complete. A fourth quarter full of turnovers, missed rebounds and poor execution once again left them empty and with a defeat.

San Antonio outscored Orlando 31-17 in erasing a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit. Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge put in big fourth quarters as the Spurs just cranked up the pressure and trounced the Magic in the end.

This has been the story for Orlando throughout the season, unfortunately. Time and time again the same thing keeps happening.

B+. <p><strong><a href=. G/F. Orlando Magic. EVAN FOURNIER

C. <p><strong><a href=. C. Orlando Magic. NIKOLA VUCEVIC

B-. <p>Elfrid Payton is playing better. There is no doubt about that. On both ends of the floor, he is playing with more energy and intention. That makes him a more dangerous player for sure.</p><p>Payton scored 13 points and dished out seven assists. This is the kind of stat line Payton is supposed to have almost every night and seeing him get back to this level has been very closely correlated to the Magic’s recovery.</p><p>He did make mistakes though. Payton took some ill-advised jumpers late in the game and struggled corralling Patty Mills. Much like Vucevic, when he played bad the team was struggling. When he played well, the team was really good.</p>. PG. Orlando Magic. ELFRID PAYTON

C. Orlando Magic. DEWAYNE DEDMON. C. <p>With <strong><a href=

B-. <p>The San Antonio Spurs were not at their best Wednesday. The Orlando Magic had them for the picking and let them escape.</p><p>When the Spurs wanted to play well they tore the door open against the Magic. They opened a 10-point lead in the second quarter and seemed poised to cruise to victory. Then they let go it seemed. Their defense was a bit lax and the Magic took control.</p><p>San Antonio tightened up and stopped Orlando. The Spurs put the Magic in a bind. Kawhi Leonard scored 29 points on 12-for-19 shooting and LaMarcus Aldridge had 21 points. The Spurs were really toying with the Magic. They put the screws on them and won the game.</p>. 45-8. 2nd West. SAN ANTONIO SPURS