Orlando Magic Grades: Charlotte Hornets 109, Orlando Magic 102
The Charlotte Hornets buckled down and made all the plays in the fourth quarter to pull away from the Orlando Magic and halt the Magic’s meager win streak.
The Orlando Magic have been unable to match up with the Charlotte Hornets all season. Finally able to keep the game close against their division nemesis, the Magic were in control and just needed to close out.
Those match up problems reared their heads again. Charlotte went big this time and was able to get the advantage against Aaron Gordon and the smallish frontcourt.
Frank Kaminsky scored 13 of his 18 points in the third quarter, including a critical eight-point run to give the Hornets the lead and put them up by six points. That was enough as Kemba Walker and Nicolas Batum helped carry Charlotte the rest of the way in a 109-102 win at Amway Center.
The Magic could not close the game out, finding a wall of Hornets defenders cutting off the offense that seemed to be humming along so well. The Hornets outscored the Magic 32-20 in the final quarter, making 11 of 20 shots and 4 of 17 3-pointers.
Both teams seemed happy to shoot 3-pointers throughout the evening. Orlando attempted 40 3-pointers in all, making 14 of them. That kept the Magic in the game and largely in control. But the shooting eventually ran out.
Charlotte scored 50 points in the paint for the game, making up the deficit from the Magic’s 3-point barrage throughout the game.
The Hornets turned things up in the fourth quarter, making 55.0 percent of their shots and 4 for 7 from beyond the arc. The defense walled off the paint the Magic were able to get into pretty easily and closed down passing lanes. The shots the Magic seemed to get so easily were no longer there.
It became difficult for the Magic to operate much offensively. And when the game tightened up, the Magic could no longer get the shots they needed to succeed. Terrence Ross missed his only shot in the quarter and the Magic were stuck once again against the Hornets.
B. Starting with Terrence Ross, he was not afraid to let his shot fly in Wednesday’s game. It did not really matter the quality of his looks he was firing away. And when Ross got hot, the Magic were able to get their offense moving. The confidence was growing from Ross, who has struggled to shoot throughout his time with the Magic.<p>Ross finished with a team-high 19 points on 8-for-15 shooting. He made just three of nine 3-pointers.</p><p>Ross could have used some better shot selection. But he did an admirable job defending Nicolas Batum, holding him to 10 points and six assists on the night. Orlando was glad to have a decent game from their new acquisition. It was just odd not to see them run a play to srping him free in the fourth quarter, where he only took one shot.</p>. G/F. Orlando Magic. TERRENCE ROSS
B-. Coach Frank Vogel put <strong><a rel=. F. Orlando Magic. MARIO HEZONJA
B. <strong><a rel=. PG. Orlando Magic. ELFRID PAYTON
Orlando Magic. NIKOLA VUCEVIC. B. <strong><a rel=. C
A-. The Charlotte Hornets are sitting at 32-39 right now largely because of their poor record in close games. Statistically, the Hornets should be a playoff team. But they have been unable to string together wins or to close out games to ensure a victory. That is why the Hornets are in desperation mode.<p>They rose to the challenge on Wednesday. In a game they absolutely had to have and trailing for most of the game, Charlotte struck in the fourth quarter. The Hornets outscored the Magic 32-20 in the fourth quarter. They turned a close game in the dying stages into a comfortable win, in the end, thanks to strong plays from Frank Kaminsky and Kemba Walker.</p><p>This is how the Hornets need to close the season out if they want to make a push for the Playoffs.</p>. 32-39. 11th East. CHARLOTTE HORNETS