The Orlando Magic finally snapped a five-game skid against one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. The Chicago Bulls welcomed Derrick Rose back into the lineup after having rested him with a sore knee, but the Orlando Magic snuck out of Chicago with a 121-114 victory on Monday night (Jan 12), and Orlando showed several improvements in the contest that bode well for the immediate future.
5 Positives, 3 Negatives—Observations from game:
1) Nikola Vucevic stayed aggressive offensively the entire game.
He passed better out of double teams, established low post position well and he finished hard. His dunk at the end of the third quarter over Pau Gasol was the nastiest thing since the mystery meatloaves of elementary school lunches.
The battle between Gasol and Vucevic grew very intense, as both Chicago and Orlando ran its offenses through the two dueling centers. It was a good sign to see Vucevic could play hard on both ends finishing with 33 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists on 16-of-24 shooting.
Gasol finished with 28 points and 14 boards, but turned it over four times and had the worst plus-minus of any Bull (negative-8).
In the first half alone, Vucevic had eight shots in the paint and converted on seven of them. He scored 10 of Orlando’s first 14 points in the first quarter and set the tone for what turned out to be a great battle in the post.
To see the aggressive mindset and desire to destroy an opponent is encouraging, because he had been relying too heavily on finesse. It works well at times, but sometimes sheer power is the best approach for an NBA big.
Monday, he went toe-to-toe with Gasol and spit him out. This is what a franchise player does.
2) Elfrid Payton is making better decisions.
Payton had one of his best games of the season with 10 points (5 of 7 from the floor), seven assists, two steals, a block and only one turnover. The Magic shot 59.3 percent from floor and had 58 points in the paint, compared to Bulls 48.8 percent and 40 points in paint.
Every point guard needs a go to play offensively, and Payton’s is simply using his speed and working short jumpers/floaters at this point. If he begins to show it consistently, it will make it easier for him to pass around the basket.
He is a true passer, in the sense that even his showy passes are natural for him. It’s very similar to Rajon Rondo.
It appears as though the no-looks are showboating, but they are actual no-look passes. One thing Payton will likely never have a big problem with is telegraphed passes (and that is actually one of the biggest limitations of backup point guard Luke Ridnour, who fits the “game manager” label as a backup).
3) Victor Oladipo and Payton continued to attack fearlessly and pushed it back, even following made field goals.
Vic had 24 points in second half, 10 free throw attempts in the game and finished with 33 points on 11-of-17 shooting. Oladipo and Vucevic combined to hit 27 of 41 from the floor. He also did an awesome job on both Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler, as the Magic frequently rotated perimeter defensive duties. Butler finished just 5 of 13 from the floor and frequently looked frustrated going at Orlando’s energized guards.
4) The backcourt was a terror defensively again.
Victor Oladipo and Elfrid Payton’s defense once again helped force six turnovers from Kirk Hinrich/Jimmy Butler/Derrick Rose (three). The Magic came up with 10 steals and Devyn Marble had three of them. Marble is still finding his way in the offense, but is a nice complement to Oladipo and Payton.
He picks and chooses his spots with more talented offensive options around him, but one comparison I threw out to OMD’s Philip Rossman-Reich is that he may be a more sane version of DeShawn Stevenson. Given that he was a second round pick, that would be more than a fair payout.
4) Orlando Bench outscored 40-35 by one of the better benches in the East.
Ben Gordon and Willie Green have scoring ability and when it is used in games like this, the Magic can match teams in 2nd quarter, and in early fourth while the starting unit rests.
The Bulls and Magic matched each other in the second period (32-32), but in the fourth Mirotic had a 5-0 run by himself to open the second quarter 15-9 for Chicago. Even so, if the Magic’s reserves can just keep the score about equal with opposing second units, the starters have proven sufficient to give the Magic a shot at some ‘Ws.’
5) The Magic’s ball movement was superb.
The team had 28 assists on 48 field goals. Kyle O’Quinn and Elfrid Payton had a few needle threading passes. Though O’Quinn only ended up with one assist on the pass to Maurice Harkless for a three-point play that put Orlando up 34-23 early in the second quarter.
If it weren’t for the Bulls fouling so much to prevent easy finishes at the basket, the 28 assists easily could have been over 30.
Negatives:
1) Channing Frye remains ice-cold.
Frye shot just 1 of 7 from 3-point range and the Bulls were challenging him, unlike Portland. Teams are usually afraid to leave Frye open, but if the cold streak continues the scouting report may end up saying “dare him.” OK, that’s a stretch, but he needs to start hitting the triples.
2) Free throws are a new issue.
The Magic shot 18 for 29 from the foul line, Oladipo 8 for 10 (rest of the team 8 for 19). It nearly cost the Magic the game, as the lead wilted in the final minutes. But Oladipo iced it with two more free throws and 12 seconds remaining.
3) The Magic were again out-rebounded 43-34.
Orlando also allowed 11 offensive rebounds (four by reserve Taj Gibson). This has been a recurring theme that seemed solved for a night in Portland. The Magic may end up drafting big after all in June (especially considering five of the top seven prospects in 2015 are PF/Cs). Vucevic is still sixth in the league in rebounding, but his teammates are going to have to hit the glass a lot harder.