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Orlando Magic Player Evaluations: Elfrid Payton

By Brett David Roberts

Jan 10, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) defends Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) defends Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Best Game of 2015

March 20 vs Portland
22 pts., 10 assts., 10 rebs., 10/13 FGs

Elfrid Payton had his finest game of the year at the Amway Center against Damian Lillard. It was his second triple-double in a row, and he showed from the very beginning it was going to be his kind of night.

Nikola Vucevic got the Magic started, but Payton came up with a huge steal and breakaway that gave Orlando a 17-9 lead midway through the first quarter, forcing a Blazers timeout. At that point, Orlando had six offensive rebounds and by quarter’s end Payton was already starting to stuff the stat sheet with four rebounds, three assists and six points.

The Magic allowed Portland to sneak back in it but still led 25-19 after Ben Gordon hit a buzzer-beating three to close the period.

All five starters took the court again in the mid-second quarter after an 11-4 Portland run began the period — and Payton got going. He made a head fake that caused Robin Lopez to jump out of his shoes and dropped it in for his 10th point. He finished the half six for six from the floor with six dimes, four rebounds and four steals.

He had kept Vucevic involved in pick and rolls and Vucevic had 14 points. The bench had contributed another 21 points, and the Magic looked like a team with top-end talent and depth. It was that kind of night. There was a sense the team could prevail and the Amway Center was coming to life.

Portland outscored the Orlando 25-17 in the third quarter and Payton came back in to throw another nasty head fake on Damian Lillard as he weaved in for 18 points. Channing Frye came back and hit a triple to put the Magic up 95-88 with just under five minutes to go.

Payton notched his second triple double and was coming of age. He kept Lillard in check as the Blazers tried to make its late game push, and though LaMarcus Aldridge scored 30 points on 23 shots, the Magic prevailed.

Payton showed a lot that game. He showed he can pick up the slack on the boards, lose defenders seemingly at will and do it all while playing tough-nosed defense on the other end.

Perhaps most of all, he had begun to show his ability to play the game of basketball transcends his lack of shooting ability or any of his inconsistencies.

Payton cited the fact his teammates helped him get the triple double, and though Lillard was not exactly shut down, most could easily ascertain the Magic’s rookie got the better of him. Lillard shot 6 for 15 from the floor and finished with 18 points and four assists.

Payton’s gaudy line read: 10 of 13 from the floor, 10 rebounds (five offensive), 10 assists, four steals, just one turnover and 22 points.

Next: 2016 Outlook