Orlando Magic Playbook: How the Orlando Magic finish games

Ingenuity in the post

At the end of the fourth quarter Tuesday, the Orlando Magic trailed by two points with about 10 seconds. They called a timeout following a free throw and prepared to set up a play. Jeff Green is the inbounder and gets his first option to inbound.

What is unique about this is the Magic inbound the ball directly to the post. This is not something many teams do. Orlando has that luxury though because Nikola Vucevic can be a fulcrum to run an offense. He comes to the ball and flashes to the block, getting pushed out to the mid post.

Vucevic is a dangerous weapon here. He was having a strong offensive game and could easily score with nine seconds to play.

But what makes Vucevic more threatening is his ability to pass the ball. He is averaging 2.5 assists per game, 10th among NBA post players. Vucevic is a good passer and can read a defense well while he is attacking the basket. And he has the time here to do so to let the play develop.

The first read is for Vucevic to pause and let the play develop. The inbounder is often one of the most dangerous players so he makes a hard cut across the paint. But he is not cutting to score. The Magic want to get a look to their top offensive option.

Jeff Green gets a screen from Evan Fournier that could allow him to curl to the basket. Tyler Johnson does a good job hedging the screen to protect the basket. But Evan Fournier does a good job screening Josh Richardson and he fails to switch the screen — usually teams will switch all screens in these late-game situations.

Fournier is the decoy. With the screen made, he cuts to the ball, curling around Vucevic to the short corner. Vucevic then asks as a flare screen to free up Fournier for a wide-open jumper. It was a perfectly executed play.

Except for Fournier missing the shot.

Serge Ibaka gutted out the offensive rebound and somehow flipped the shot in to force overtime.

This play was not a failure, though. It was a great and unique use of two of the Magic’s best offensive options.

And even having Vucevic involved this way may have freed up Ibaka. Hassan Whiteside steps out to challenge Fournier’s shot, forcing two Heat guards to crash down on Vucevic to prevent him from getting the offensive board. That freed up a small pocket for Serge Ibaka to grab the rebound.

This bit of misdirection had several options for the Magic to succeed and get a bucket. If Fournier cannot get open or the Heat switch that play, then Vucevic can go to work in the post. Or reset for a side pick and roll with Fournier.

What is important in late-game situations is to have multiple options and variations. Something that occurred again in overtime.