The Orlando Magic have a weakness in the fourth quarter

Examining the Orlando Magic’s results so far shows one clear thing: The team has a problem with the fourth quarter.

The big minutes matter.

Coaches and players around the league all say the same thing: It is how you finish the game that matters. And again the Orlando Magic showed something against the Washington Wizards on Saturday: They are not a good team in the fourth quarter.

Examining the Magic’s six losses shows a worrying trend. In five of those losses, the Magic lost the fourth quarter (they actually won by two points against Houston to force overtime, but subsequently lost 4-9 in the extra period, so overall the clutch minutes still suffered).

Below are the 4th quarter scores for the six losses:

Washington Wizards- lost 29-23
Oklahoma City Thunder- lost 42-24; OT lost 22-19
Chicago Bulls- won 24-17
Houston Rockets- won 22-20; OT lost 9-4
Indiana Pacers- lost 25-13
Washington Wizards- lost 23-20

Perhaps the most horrifying of these is the 42 points the Thunder scored in the second game of the season. While the Magic did perform admirably in the overtime of that game, hitting big shots, the Thunder had no business being in that game whatsoever. The Magic had been dominating all game.

Of course, many teams do fall prey to the shark-infested waters of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, but it will haunt the team down the line.

It is clear bad fourth quarters have resulted in losses, but the team must be better in wins, right?

Right?

Unfortunately, no.

Out of the five wins, Orlando only won one fourth quarter, against the Toronto Raptors 28-18, and tied against the Philadelphia 76ers and New Orleans Pelicans. See the list of results below:

New Orleans Pelicans- tied 25-25
Toronto Raptors-won 28-18
Philadelphia 76ers- tied 24-24
LA Lakers – lost 29-27
Utah Jazz – lost 30-22

So even when it goes well for the Magic, they still toe the line. It explains why the team has not been able to win comfortably at all this season.

Teams have mounted some serious comebacks, and though the Magic have resisted a few, it is a dangerous game to play in the NBA.

Adding together all scores from the fourth quarter reveals this: 282-245 In favor of all other teams. Adding in the overtime scorers, the overall changes to: 313-268.

In the fourth quarter alone, the Magic have a a 94.8 offensive rating and a 103.9 defensive rating. Those are both significantly lower than their season average 98.3 offensive rating and 99.2 defensive rating. The offense particularly, already a thing the team struggles with, takes a nosedive.

Specifically in clutch situations, the Magic offensive rating holds relatively steady at 97.7 but the defense nosedives to 108.7 points allowed per 100 possessions.

This trend has horrible consequences this early in the season, but the later it continues the worse the effect becomes.

Later in the year, when the Magic are fighting for a playoff seed against other teams who are clawing just as hard, the fourth quarter is going to become all the more important. If the Magic should make the playoffs, the importance of the fourth quarter does not really require description.

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So, what is the reason for these fourth quarter losses?

Fatigue? Possibly, to a degree.

Three of these fourth quarters came on back to backs, but one of these was the win against the Sixers and the other an overtime loss to the Rockets where the Magic actually won the fourth quarter, so fatigue does not appear to factor in.

Besides, the Magic are a young, athletic team, so fatigue should not be a factor. Scott Skiles seemed dumbfounded Saturday when he was asked about that possibility following Saturday’s loss to Washington.

If it is, this early in the season, it does not bode well at all.

Age? Perhaps its the youth that is the problem.

The Magic do only have two players older than 30 after all: C.J. Watson and Channing Frye. And how much do they play in the fourth?

The Magic have an incredibly young starting lineup with relative game experience. Some of their main rotation players are in their second and third years (and one rookie), so when looking for an explanation, this may be a better place to look.

This is a problem that is better addressed sooner rather than later. It would be very easy for frustration to spread between players or even staff when the team are competitive in a lot of games but cannot tie the bow.

After all, there are plenty of instances where many great teams have a collection of talent and potential, but never quite get over that hump to be able to finish the race.

To avoid that collection, the Magic will have to figure out their fourth quarter woes.