Orlando Magic still building good stretches in comeback win over Houston Rockets

The Orlando Magic are still searching for their good stretches to become more pervasive. A poor, lethargic start overshadowed a comeback win against Houston

The Orlando Magic erased a 20-point first-quarter deficit, watching the Houston Rockets’ starters drain 3-pointers with little chance to close out or contest. The rout was on.

Or it would have been if this were not a preseason game.

Under the circumstances, the Magic would be afforded the chance to make good. The chance to continue climbing back in on the backs of bench players from both sides. Preseason affords second chances like that chances. Chances to grow and improve within a game and build on something for the next game and next opportunity.

No team should forget that initial missed opportunity. It remains a glaring weakness on the resume. A reminder of the work that is yet to be done before the season starts. And at the preseason’s midpoint now, time is starting to run out to get ready for the regular season.

The facts remain the Magic stormed back from a poor first quarter with the help of strong runs of play from Tobias Harris, Evan Fournier and Devyn Marble for a 123-119 at the State Farm Center in Hidalgo, Texas on Sunday.

Devyn Marble (ORL) — 21 pts.; C.J. Watson (ORL) — 12 pts., 7 rebs., 5 assts.
Corey Brewer (HOU) — 20 pts.; Marcus Thornton (HOU) — 17 pts.

Orlando scored 70 points in the second half to complete the comeback. Marble was superb, making his open shots and creating offense for himself, on his way to 21 points on 6-for-8 shooting. He took Scott Skiles‘ call for more aggressive play and drawing fouls to heart as he took eight free throws in the game.

In the fourth quarter as the Magic were holding off the last run from the Rockets, it was him who was pushing things forward and making the big plays.

C.J. Watson also pushed the issue and made plays for the Magic down the stretch for 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Mario Hezonja came through with two key offensive rebounds and a putback and-one to give the Magic the lead for good with about 25 seconds left.

It all came with a caveat though.

Even that finishing group that had played so well, fouled Will Cummings while up only three points. He just missed the two free throws and the Magic cleaned up.

The takeaway from the game was less how the Magic came back and continued to fight. That is something that is expected. A good sign the Magic are still improving and finding their way to execute. Things are starting to settle in and the team is getting better.

It is not just second nature. That start to the game is still a more-than-fair reminder the team is still working toward that goal and that effort they put on later in the game. Just during the regular season, waiting a quarter will be too late. Responses are great, but the Magic are working on setting the tone early.

The Rockets worked the Magic early in the game. They scored 38 points in the first quarter. They made 3-pointers at will (ending the game at 40.5 percent, but many of their 17 3-pointers came in the first quarter.

Harden was draining threes untouched. Houston moved the ball flawlessly. The Rockets were able to drive into the paint behind James Harden and Ty Lawson and kick out to Trevor Ariza and Corey Brewer for open threes. The Magic were just scrambling to catch up.

And it hurt that Orlando was sloppy offensively on top of that. The Magic’s starting lineup — Mario Hezonja, Victor Oladipo, Nikola Vucevic, Evan Fournier and Tobias Harris — combined for 10 of Orlando’s 16 turnovers.  The Magic were moving sluggishly and the lack of attention cost them double on the other end.

The Rockets are a very good team. Orlando is not quite good enough to recover from poor efforts. That had to be the lesson Scott Skiles continue to push to his team after the game.

And like all the other games in the preseason so far, there were stretches where the Magic looked good. Orlando’s third quarter with the starters in was a much better effort than the first quarter. Harris and Fournier’s work in those moments set the table for the Magic to come back and win the game.

Needing that and not having that in the first half is what will undoubtedly haunt Skiles and be the focus as the Magic prepare for the next game.

And like all the other games this preseason, Skiles is holding the Magic to a higher standard. He is still looking for a consistent 48-minute effort. A consistent effort where the energy is good and the execution is with positive effort.

The Magic appear to be waiting still for the pieces to come together.

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