Orlando Magic Grades: Orlando Magic 88, Washington Wizards 86

The Orlando Magic had to gut out another victory, winning the fourth quarter yet again on their defense to come from behind for a third straight win.

VS.

	1	2	3	4	T
Wizards	24	26	20	16	86
Magic	20	20	21	27	88

The Washington Wizards’ streak over the Orlando Magic was not going to die without a fight.

The Magic left the door open for the Wizards when they nearly turned it over on a late inbounds (saved by Mario Hezonja‘s heady play to knock the ball off Tomas Satoransky out of bounds underneath the basket) and Nikola Vucevic‘s two missed free throws. The Magic’s defense got its test when the chips were truly down.

Markieff Morris though came free as the Magic’s switching defense got pulled apart (and maybe grabbed on an illegal screen from Marcin Gortat). Morris’ 3-pointer with less than a second remaining though went in and out and the Magic survived for an 88-86 victory over the Wizards at Amway Center.

Again, it was not pretty for the Magic who shot less than 40 percent for the game and seemed to be stuck offensively for most of the game. The offense though came alive thanks to defensive efforts from Bismack Biyombo and Jeff Green and scoring drives from Green and D.J. Augustin.

“It started with the defensive end,” Jeff Green said. “Biz made some amazing blocks. He’s a beast around the rim. D.J. made plays, Mario was tremendous tonight. We just played together.”

The Magic got a lot of contributions from several players and unexpected places and had to gut out a win once again.

The bench provided the initial spark in both the second and the fourth quarters. Particularly on the defensive end.

Again, the Magic came through big in the fourth quarter defensively, holding the Wizards to 16 points and erasing a nine-point deficit entering the final 12 minutes. This has become a trademark for the Magic in their three wins as they have climbed back to .500 at 3-3 now.

“That’s a sign of a Playoff team,” coach Frank Vogel said. “I really believe in defensive rebounding is what gets you into the playoffs and what wins for you in the playoffs. Some nights the ball is going to go into the basket. And the offensive rhythm is going to be there. And some nights it’s not.

“We didn’t have a good offensive rhythm tonight, and we weren’t shooting the ball that well. In the fourth quarter, maybe third game in a row, we held them under 20 points and we were able to secure the victory.”

A-. Mario Hezonja has been seemingly missing throughout much of the season so far. His shot is not falling and he has looked like his confidence is wavering. Hezonja’s defense is not the greatest to begin with and so that has only accentuated his offensive problems.Saturday it is likely the Orlando Magic do not win the game without Hezonja’s offense — and his defense.Hezonja scored eight of his nine points in the fourth quarter, coming off pin downs and firing without thought and (finally) hitting. But it was his defensive play that helped turn the game around and put the Magic over the top. Hezonja dug in and recorded a steal midway through the fourth quarter, racing to the other side and completing a two-handed slam to give the Magic a six-point lead, completing a 20-5 run to star the fourth quarter.Hezonja then likely saved the game on a bad inbounds pass to Nikola Vucevic. Hezonja read the play and was able to save the pass from going out of bounds, knocking it off Tomas Satoransky to save the possession. This was a very heady play. The play of someone who is confident right now.. G/F. Orlando Magic. MARIO HEZONJA

BISMACK BIYOMBO. A. Bismack Biyombo’s role is very simple. Bring energy, block shots, defend and rebound. Doing those things seems simple enough. Doing them well though can change the game. And Biyombo again changed the game early in the second quarter.Biyombo finished with nine points, 12 rebounds and three blocks. That does not encapsulate everything that he did for the Magic. He stuffed <a rel=. C. Orlando Magic

Orlando Magic. EVAN FOURNIER. B. <a rel=. SG

F. Orlando Magic. JEFF GREEN. A. Jeff Green had one of his good games Saturday. The Orlando Magic needed every bit of it.Green scored 18 points off the bench on 5-for-12 shooting. He added five rebounds and three assists. He was confident attacking the basket and on his drives. And felt comfortable shooting it too. Green made two of his five 3-pointers.Consistency is always the issue when it comes to Green. He has seemingly found a role that fits his eye and has him playing comfortably. The Magic are not going to complain if Green is producing like this on frequent occasions. That is the part they do not know.For the most part too, and the reason he deserves such high marks, is Green was playing solid defense and doing his part on his man throughout the game. More than that, he put his body on the line on a few occasions to save the ball from going out of bounds nad preserve the possession.Green was instrumental for keeping the Magic’s offense afloat and key to the Magic’s comeback effort in the fourth quarter to eventually win the game.

C+. The Washington Wizards came into the game already needing a scrappy effort. <a rel=. 1-4. 14th East. WASHINGTON WIZARDS