The new-look Orlando Magic traveled to Ohio to face the 2016 NBA Champion Cleveland Cavaliers for its second preseason game. The results were not encouraging.
The Orlando Magic were competitive in the fourth quarter of a preseason game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday which small forward Jeff Green led the team in points. The Magic scored 33 points in the final quarter.
The first three quarters were more of a glimpse from the past as the Magic trailed 31-21 after the first quarter and 68-42 at the half. By the time the third quarter ended, the Cavaliers had seemingly snatched the hearts away from the Magic with a 97-69 lead. That is a 28-point lead.
Orlando could not keep pace with the LeBron James-led Cavaliers, and the game got ugly sooner than later.
No team can afford to get too low or high about the NBA preseason as the newly constructed Orlando Magic made their way to Cleveland to take on the reigning NBA Champions. The Magic were missing three starters (Elfrid Payton, Serge Ibaka and Aaron Gordon) who are probably the best defenders on the team.
Despite the Magic getting blown out in this preseason matchup, there were some positive that need to be pointed out. The Magic led the Cavaliers in three important categories.
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The first category is points in the paint. This is a key category the Magic may need to focus on considering the lack of offensive weapons on the roster. If the Magic can improve on getting to the basket it could help their shooting percentages and create opportunities at the foul line.
The second category is fast break points. This was a category that intrigued most fans after the Magic acquired Serge Ibaka and Bismack Biyombo. Ibaka did not play Wednesday because of a knee injury, but when rim protectors get blocks on opponents not only does it get the crowd excited, it allows perimeter players like Aaron Gordon and Elfrid Payton to get easy baskets.
The last category is free throws made and attempted. The Magic attempted 35 free throws last night and hit 25. The Magic shot 71 percent from the line. This is a key category because it shows that the Magic are trying to be aggressive toward the basket. It also shows the Magic can get to the basket without Victor Oladipo, who was clearly the Magic’s best driver to the basket.
The Magic impressed at times and other times were a head scratcher. But there were style improvements to this new Magic team.