The Orlando Magic were listless for a half of basketball, but found a way thanks to some big play from some reserves and the starting point guard.
The Orlando Magic looked lifeless in the first half. They were getting beat to every loose ball and failing to convert on the shots they were getting. It was not like the Minnesota Timberwolves were running away with things and dominating the game.
They took only as much as a 14-point lead and never could quite get over the hump. As bad as Orlando played throughout the first half, the team stayed within striking distance for when that bout of energy would come.
And it came as Elfrid Payton, Jason Smith and Tobias Harris helped pick the energy up. Evan Fournier hit two big 3-pointers in overtime and the Magic found big play after big play to rekindle everything and race into the lead.
A 14-0 run in the third quarter woke up the team and woke up the Amway Center and the Magic found themselves in a battle from there. A battle they would win, forcing the Timberwolves into tough shots and containing Karl-Anthony Towns the rest of the way without Nikola Vucevic in the lineup.
Orlando made progress in some ways in winning the game, but continued to frustrate with the team’s inconsistency.