Friday’s 19-point performance from Tobias Harris was the offensive breakthrough the Orlando Magic needed. But Harris has contributed elsewhere too.
Tobias Harris took the space that was given to him.
It was not much of a space and it was closing fast.
Harris got the ball in transition after a steal and began dribbling down the floor. He saw Trey Burke and Chris Johnson coming together to close down that lane.
Then with a sudden burst, Harris was between them. Beating them before the door would shut and had a free run to the basket.
That burst has been rare for Tobias Harris so far this season. He has not been the offensive machine he has been before for the Magic, averaging 14.3 points per game and 8.3 rebounds per game while shooting a 48.6 percent effective field goal percentage.
The scoring numbers are more similar to Harris’ first full season in Orlando, when he struggled for consistency and health.
This season has seen no health issues for Harris but it has seen him be a bit inconsistent. That goes particular for the last few games. In the previous three games, Harris has averaged 9.3 points per game on 36.4 percent effective field goal percentage.
It has been rough for Harris.
Friday changed much of that in the Orlando Magic’s 102-93 win over the Utah Jazz.
“I had in the previous games a lot of looks that were ill advised,” Harris said. “A lot of shots that I was takeing where the defense was collapsing. Tonight I thought I picked my spots well. I had a lot of open looks Once we continue to play with that type of ball movement, the shots will come and they will be open looks. That will make us a more efficient team. That’s just what I look for.”
Harris scored 19 points on a more efficient 4-for-9 shooting. He made three of six 3-pointers and all eight of his free throws. He posted a 75.9 percent true shooting percentage. It was an extremely efficient performance for Harris on Friday night.
If this is how Harris is going to play, it bodes much better for the Magic.
Considering his status as one of the team leaders — and the fact another team leader in Victor Oladipo was out with a concussion — it was a sure sign the Magic had responded to the coach’s call to have some reform from struggling in his eyes the last three games.
Coach Scott Skiles said he and Tobias Harris spoke specifically about leading the team and getting them on the right path again.
“I thought he was great,” Skiles said. “He and I talked. He knows what’s kind of been going on the last two or three games. He’s one of the captains of the team. He addressed his teammates privately. He’s been a guy, because he can score, that maybe the last two or three games he has forced it a bit. I thought he looked relaxed and had a great game.”
More from Orlando Magic Daily
- 2023 Orlando Magic Playoff Lessons: Philadelphia 76ers can’t seem to avoid conflict
- 5 worst starters of the Orlando Magic’s Shaquille O’Neal era
- Orlando Magic FIBA World Cup: Franz Wagner can be a star if he takes it
- Orlando Magic are going to find out who they are in 2024
- 2024 Orlando Magic Player Outlook: Moe Wagner is the spark off of the bench
It all seemed to come together. The Magic got off to a great start and never let go of the lead. Harris’ offensive revival Friday certainly helped.
Harris though only saw an offensive breakthrough Friday. It was really the final piece for Harris. Because one thing Harris has done pretty consistently all season is find other ways to contribute to his team, particularly on the glass.
Friday was no different even with the scoring. He grabbed 13 rebounds, marking the fourth time this year he has recorded 10 or more rebounds and the third straight game he has done so. It marks just the third time in Harris’ career he has grabbed 10 or more rebounds in three consecutive games.
So even though Harris was not scoring, he was doing what his coach asked of him and finding ways to contribute and give his team a chance to win.
“Coach is on me to be aggressive and go out there and be physical and be a tough opponent,” Harris said. “Basically just go out there, exert my will and try to go out and get them.”
The offense will obviously come for Harris. He is too talented to not have something click offensively soon. Friday’s game was certainly an opportunity to get things moving in the right direction and build some momentum on that end of the floor.
His improved defense and rebounding are becoming expectations for Harris.
And when he burst through and picked up that steal in dunk that came to define his offensive performance Friday night, he said it came from his teammates being in the right spot.
The offensive is finding Harris right now as he tries to find his rhythm again. That is fine and the Magic are finding Harris can do a lot more than score.