The Orlando Magic kept their 3-point streak alive with a critical shot against the Denver Nuggets. Figuring out how to use the 3-pointer remains elusive.
Evan Fournier was struggling to find his shot. The Orlando Magic were holding onto their lead and not finding any shot. Nothing would fall for the Magic. Their best shooter need to get out of his slump.
And Orlando needed to keep its streak alive for historical reasons.
With 2:38 left and the Magic leading by two points, Scott Skiles called a play to free up his team’s best shooter. The Magic desperately needed the shot to go in and change some momentum.
Evan Fournier came around the corner on a flare screen to the top of the key by Nikola Vucevic. He received the pass from Elfrid Payton and let it fly. As Skiles said, Fournier shot it with confidence and the ball finally came through the net.
Fournier had a rough night, committing four fouls relatively quickly into the third quarter and playing only 25:58 in the game. He made just one of seven shots and one of his four 3-pointers. He had only three points. But those three points were critical. They made it a five-point game and helped the Magic kickstart a 11-2 run to finish off an 85-74 win over the Nuggets at Pepsi Center on Tuesday.
This was an ugly game. Neither team was making shots in any particular. But the Magic are a team still somewhat devoid of shooting. It has always been a struggle for them.
The Magic are shooting 34.0 percent on 3-pointers, 17th in the league. But they are 19th in the league in 3-point attempts per game with 23.0 3-point attempts per game. The 3-pointer is not a huge weapon for this team.
The Magic making just 1 for 16 from beyond the arc in Tuesday’s game against the Nuggets was certainly an outlier. But still the threat of such a shooting performance remains. Especially when Orlando struggles on offense.
Looking a bit closer at the Magic’s 3-point attempts from Tuesday, maybe four or five of them could be considered bad looks fairly. Orlanod was getting decent looks and they were not falling no matter who was taking them.
In the modern NBA though, the 3-pointer is a major weapon.
Orlando saved a streak of 677 games with at least one 3-pointer with Fournier’s make in Tuesday’s game. It is the seventh longest streak in NBA history. But more telling it is the fifth longest active streak currently in the NBA.
There should never be a game when a team does not make a 3-pointer in the modern NBA. In fact, it has happened only once this season — the Brooklyn Nets’ loss to the Chicago Bulls on Oct. 28. Last year, there were only three instances where a team failed to make a 3-pointer in a game.
The Magic’s one 3-pointer performance is an anomaly.
But it is also clear the Magic are still searching for the best way to get 3-pointers and better space the floor. The Magic have so many drivers that getting shooter to balance the floor and give them room is still paramount.
It starts with Channing Frye and Evan Fournier — the two shooters in the Magic’s starting lineup.
Frye is shooting a very solid 41.5 percent from beyond the arc. But he has made only two of his past nine 3-pointers during the road trip (the last four games). Interestingly, he is shooting 44.4 percent from beyond the arc at Amway Center but only (and still respectable) 38.5 percent on the road. Frye still forces defense to pay attention to him even if he is not making shots.
Fournier has struggled though to rediscover his 3-point shooting touch. He is shooting 38.6 percent from beyond the arc this year. But Fournier is 5 for 17 (29.4 percent) in his past five games. He is struggling to make shots.
The Magic are shooting just 28.7 percent from beyond the arc in the past five games. They might be winning, but the shots are not falling from beyond the arc consistently.
It makes it unclear how Orlando intends to use the 3-pointer except to spread the floor for their drivers and cutters.
There is a use for it. Coach Scott Skiles has said he is not against the 3-pointer — as some might suggest based on how some of his previous offenses have run. Several of the Magic’s players have shown improvement and confidence in their shot.
It is not quite translating yet. And even with the Magic winning, they are not converting on some opportunities.
That could be meaningful should the tide turn on these close games the Magic are continually playing.
It may be something cyclical in the end. The Magic may be in a low point, but their 3-point shooting could come around. And it is hard to figure out exactly what to change to free up more 3-point attempts or make more.
Tuesday, it felt like the Magic got good 3-point looks and simply missed. It was that kind of game.
Next: Orlando Magic win ugly against Denver Nuggets
One thing is for sure: Without the 3-pointer Orlando did make, the team very well could have suffered a loss. The 3-point line remains a weapon. And one the Magic are still seeking to unlock.