Orlando Magic Grades: Dallas Mavericks 121, Orlando Magic 108
The Orlando Magic earn mostly failing marks, but one of the newcomers did make his presence felt with some hot shooting.
108. 38. Final. 121. 79
The Orlando Magic came out lethargic and lacked intensity the majority of the game against the Dallas Mavericks. They quickly fell behind and struggled to climb out of the hole their defense dug.
The result was an easy win for Dirk Nowitzki and company and only a few Magic players really responded to the challenge of another NBA game.
The Magic got surprising contributions from a trio of bench performers that helped keep the game within striking distance, but the Magic really never made any attempt to make that strike.
Rather, the Magic watched the Mavs move the ball around and pick apart their defense with simple but smart basketball.
A. <p><strong><a href=. PF. Orlando Magic. ERSAN ILYASOVA
D. <p><strong><a href=. SG. Orlando Magic. VICTOR OLADIPO
<p><strong><a href=. SF. Orlando Magic. MARIO HEZONJA. D
B. <p>The Dallas Mavericks did not have to play overly hard because the team played smart basketball. Dallas used a huge 27-5 run to come back from an early deficit and eventually take an eight-point lead on Orlando at the half.</p><p>Dirk Nowitzki had a poor game in the meeting in Orlando but he came back in this one to knock down 7 for 13 from the field <em>en route</em> to 19 points, three rebounds and two assists. The Mavs balanced their scoring attack and shared the ball well, coming up with 27 assists as a team.</p><p>Dallas began the second half on another 11-0 run and at that point it became clear that the Magic had no plans of mounting some massive comeback. It was not that this game was overly impressive on Dallas’ part, but the Mavs have plenty of experience on the roster and certainly do belong in the postseason as a team that could make some noise even as aged as its key players are.</p>. . . DALLAS MAVERICKS