Orlando Magic offense razor sharp in win over Indiana Pacers
The Orlando Magic seem to be gaining real momentum. Orlando has now won its last three games, the latest a 114-94 win over the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
100. 114. 38. Final. 94
The Orlando Magic seem to be clicking offensively much the way they were early in the season.
The ball is moving around the perimeter and the Magic are playing unselfish. The result has been better looks at the basket and the opportunity to get several guys going at once. Many good signs that were there early this season are now returning. The Magic seem to be a more versatile team with so many guys clicking in their proper roles.
Whether it is Elfrid Payton sticking to his strengths or Andrew Nicholson drilling set shots, the Magic seem to be playing more relaxed with each player exercising enough patience to make the whole machine click.
The ball movement has been crisp and generous throughout Orlando’s last three games. The Magic are also forcing the pace, trying to get teams out of their comfort zone and playing into the hands of Orlando’s youth.
The result speaks for itself. The Magic controlled the Indiana Pacers throughout in a 114-94 romp at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Thursday, marking the Magic’s third straight win and third straight win by 20 points or more.
| Score | Off. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando | 114 | 116.4 | 56.1 | 28.9 | 13.3 | 20.0 |
| Indiana | 94 | 96.7 | 45.9 | 35.4 | 19.5 | 24.4 |
Evan Fournier (ORL) — 25 pts.; Victor Oladipo (ORL) — 18 pts., 7 rebs., 7 assts.
Paul George (IND) — 27 pts.; Lavoy Allen (IND) — 12 pts., 11 rebs.
The Magic worked it around for good shots all game against the Pacers. The Magic shot 53.3 percent from the field and assisted 26 of 48 field goals in the game.
There was a new look too, with starting center Nikola Vucevic coming off the bench after having missed the last 13 games. Vucevic hit 12 for 15 from the field for 24 points to go with his six assists. His +14 mark was among the Magic’s best.
Vucevic did not show many signs of rust, and his shooting stroke was on the majority of the night coming out of the pick and roll. The Magic quickly re-integrated their leading scorer and the Pacers could do little to slow Vucevic.
The Magic may have forgotten the effect Vucevic has on the offense as one of the few Magic players who draws a consistent double team. For howsoever glaring his defensive weaknesses are, Vucevic’s influence on the offense is typically a huge positive. He spreads the court and is one of the best mid-range shooters in the league.
Evan Fournier also was on fire. He knocked down 10 of 14 from the field including 3 for 5 from 3-point range en route to 25 points and a +19. The Magic were able to get Victor Oladipo going, and he in turn made plays for many others, finishing with a team-high seven assists, 18 points and seven rebounds.
The Magic outscored the Pacers in all four quarters, much like they did the outing prior against the Brooklyn Nets. The Magic led by 10 going into the final period and won the fourth quarter 25-15.
A similarity between this game and the 105-102 loss in Orlando on Feb. 21 is the Magic were good at putting pressure on the Pacers guards to cue some turnovers.
Indiana turned it over 19 times in the game while shooting just 41.9 percent from the field a a team. The Magic did a good job of rotating and closing out on shooters, and the Pacers hit just seven threes in the game, just below its season average of eight per game.
The Magic improve to 32-43 on the season and with seven games remaining the Magic still can come close to posting a .500 record on the season, even if the playoffs are mathematically impossible at this point.
Next: Orlando Magic injuries give end of the bench a chance
Ending the season with this type of momentum will only serve as a positive.