End of the bench gets its chance in Orlando Magic loss

The Orlando Magic’s rotation has largely been set for a few months now. Some injuries gave two end-of-the-bench players a big opportunity that they needed.

Opportunity.

It is fleeting and comes brief moments — a window that can shut as quickly as it opens and never come again for a long time. Take advantage of it and the window can stay open.

An 82-game season affords many opportunities. So much can happen in the six months of the season, opportunity usually comes for every player on the roster at some point. Whether they stick in the rotation is dependent on whether they can perform consistently (both in practice and in games). Games though push these players hungry for a chance to the forefront.

And sometimes that pays dividends. Opportunity can be realized.

The circumstances that opportunity come can sometimes be unfortunate. A desperate time where just a little bit of concerted and focused play can help turn the tide.

Andrew Nicholson was pushed into that opportunity thanks to an injury to Ersan Ilyasova. He was given an opportunity when Aaron Gordon picked up two fouls quickly into Wednesday’s game.

Nicholson, who had not played more than 15 minutes in a game since February and has not played more than five minutes in consecutive games since early January, had that opportunity. He had fallen completely out of the rotation and was not getting anywhere near the court. This was his chance.

And he committed three fouls in the first half. Injuries gave him a second chance. A chance he did not pass up.

In the second half, Nicholson was key to the Orlando Magic erasing a 26-point deficit and cutting it to six. He played the role of center and stabilizer for the offense. The Magic were feeding him in the post and running at least part of their offense through him.

He went on to score 13 points on 5-for-10 shooting with seven rebounds in 23:08 — his most playing time since Jan. 6. He was exactly what he has been when he has played well. A good offensive option on the low block and someone who can step out and hit jumpers.

Nicholson had the confidence to use the pump fake and drive as centers tried to challenge and run him off the 3-point line.

This was Nicholson at his best. The “Torture Chamber” was back in action and giving the Magic something they were missing throughout the second quarter for sure. Just someone who can reliably score.

Nicholson’s disappearance from the rotation has been somewhat puzzling. He is certainly a player who can contribute in small spurts — like the one he had Tuesday. His defensive shortcomings can often be hidden, but in a moment of desperation the Magic just needed someone playing with energy.

That is how Nicholson found himself in the lineup for the fourth quarter. That is how Devyn Marble found himself in the game for the final 15:16.

Coach Scott Skiles had to turn to someone for some size and energy to challenge Nicolas Batum. And he went for Marble.

Marble scored a career-high nine points including a big 3-pointer that helped get the Magic back into the game. He did a better job on Batum and his energy was noticeable.

That closing lineup of C.J. Watson–Victor Oladipo-Devyn Marble-Mario Hezonja-Andrew Nicholson was certainly an odd one. Not one Skiles will use very often. He was desperate for anything that might work. It just happened this one worked.

And the players that are not normally in the rotation filled their roles and stepped up.

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It is unclear whether Nicholson can find his way back into the rotation. At some point Ersan Ilyasova will return to the lineup. He will take those backup power forward minutes. Nicholson will enter restricted free agency (or unrestricted free agency if the Magic do not tender him a qualifying offer) without a good body of work in his contract year.

It is unclear how Devyn Marble can crack the rotation. His play, particularly on offense, can be very inconsistent. It is never quite certain what he can provide.

Their inconsistency has likely led them to lose minutes and to be at the end of the bench. A rotation reveals itself and players find their fit. Some players get pushed out.

Until that opportunity comes around and until they get their shot. When it comes they have to make the most of it.

Should Ilyasova continue missing games, Nicholson has earned another look. Marble has earned a look in certain situations too — another big small forward is coming to town next, and Evan Fournier has continually struggled with those.

Opportunity is all these players can ask for.