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Orlando Magic Grades: Sacramento Kings 120, Orlando Magic 115

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Mar 13, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) dribbles the ball against Sacramento Kings forward Skal Labissiere (3) during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) dribbles the ball against Sacramento Kings forward Skal Labissiere (3) during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Orlando Magic fell short against the Sacramento Kings on the road, failing to execute down the stretch and giving up one too many open 3-pointers.

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The Orlando Magic were rallying to get back into the game. Trailing by 10, the team had evened the score and fought its way back.

There was a moment to exhale. And that was all the moment the Sacramento Kings would need to retake control. The Magic were caught trying to catch up again and could not muster the execution to get all the way back.

Down by two points, the Magic missed two shots in transition. The team was good getting up and down the floor, but was moving too quickly and took rushed shots. Sacramento came right back at Orlando.

Aaron Gordon turned his head for a brief moment and Anthony Tolliver beat him backdoor. Tolliver dunked it for a four-point lead and a more comfortable lead.

After Gordon hit his second 3-pointer, Tolliver answered with a three of his own to send the lead back to four points. the Magic continued their poor execution, forcing a 3-pointer from Evan Fournier with about 40 seconds left on an after timeout play.

Orlando was forced to play the foul game, eventually falling to Sacramento 120-115 at Golden1 Center on Monday.

The Magic were sloppy throughout the game, committing 13 turnovers for 18 Kings points. They seemed to come at inopportune times. Three turnovers to start the third quarter put the Magic behind the 8-ball from the very beginning of the second half.

Putting them even further behind was the Kings hot shooting. Sacramento made 16 of 30 3-pointers, including five from Tolliver. Ben McLemore hit three 3-pointers to keep the Kings on pace.

Orlando kept pace. The team had to with the defense struggling so much.

The Magic trailed by as much as 10 points in the fourth quarter. The team had to focus and lock into place to make a comeback. With the Kings missing four players to rest and injury, the Magic were able to do so.

Nikola Vucevic dominated the inside and scored. Elfrid Payton recorded his third triple double this season and worked hard to get into the paint and create for others. Evan Fournier too got hot to keep the Magic in the game.

It all came up short. Orlando could not get stops. Not consistently. And, ultimately, that is where the Magic lost.

ELFRID PAYTON. B+. Elfrid Payton continues to put up good numbers. And the offense is better running through him. The Orlando Magic’s offense is better when he is running things. Especially when he gets out in transition. And he did plenty of that. The Magic were good at attacking the paint and getting to the basket. And Payton was a gi catalyst of that, getting the defense to suck.He made a lot of good interior passes to help set up teammates and keep things moving.<p>Payton finished with a triple-double of 13 points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists. He was every bit that dynamic offensively.</p><p>Defensively, Payton was spotty. He gave back a lot of what he took in statistically. <strong><a rel=. PG. Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic’s bench is a problem. It remains inconsistent at best and troubling at worse. Time and time again, players who should know better as veterans make key and simple mistakes. The Magic need more from their bench and from these supposed leaders.<p><strong><a rel=. PF. Orlando Magic. JEFF GREEN. C

Nikola Vucevic had a massive advantage inside despite the Sacramento Kings running two bigs against the smaller Orlando Magic. Vucevic has a lot more moves in his bag and a lot more expertise on both ends. He was good on both ends, taking <strong><a rel=. C. Orlando Magic. NIKOLA VUCEVIC. B+

Evan Fournier is able to score for stretches. The Orlando Magic need him to. His efficiency is inconsistent as it has been all season. In fairness, no one else seems able to take on this creation role. And the Magic are better when Payton does it instead of Fournier. But there will be moments when Fournier has to play that creator role.<p>The Magic need a more efficient Fournier. And for parts of Monday’s game, they got it. Particularly when the Magic made their comeback in the fourth quarter.</p><p>Fournier finished with 21 points on 8-for-18 shooting. He made just 4 for 11 3-pointers. He settled for shots too much on a night when the Magic were able to get to the basket. And he missed some open looks that he got. There was a lot of frustration and rushed shots. Fournier was as guilty of those problems as anyone.</p>. G/F. Orlando Magic. EVAN FOURNIER. B-

SACRAMENTO KINGS. A. The Sacramento Kings entered the game on an eight-game losing streak. They are still clearly adjusting to life without <strong><a rel=. 26-41. 13th West