Orlando Magic try to exorcise Charlotte Hornets demons
The Orlando Magic have had it tough against the Charlotte Hornets this season, losing by 20-plus points in three meetings. They have one chance to fix it.
The last time the Orlando Magic were riding a winning streak was back in December. The team had enjoyed its holiday break with a romp over the Los Angeles Lakers and then another blowout victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. At 15-18, the team still had hopes of turning things around and turning December’s defensive struggles into a mere blip on the radar.
The Charlotte Hornets were next for the second of four meetings between the two division rivals. And with all those home games in tow, the Magic knew they had to make up ground during this stretch before their usual January road trip.
The Hornets instead put a smackdown on the Magic and continued sending them drifting on their way. Another major beatdown loss followed and the Hornets had effectively had the Magic’s number.
Charlotte won that game 120-101, a game that was not as close as the final score indicated, and have won the three games so far against Orlando by an average margin of 26.7 points per game, weighed heavily down by a 40-point margin a few weeks ago in Charlotte. Orlando was never really in any of those games, even trailing by 30 points in that home game in late December.
More than anything, if the Magic want to prove they have turned things around and are moving in the right direction, they have to have a better showing against this team that has beaten them so badly so far this season.
"“It’s not individual matchups, it’s style of play,” coach Frank Vogel said. “The things they try to do — without getting into our flaws — this team, in particular, is a tough matchup for us. They have played really well.”"
It does seem like everyone on the Hornets has played well in these matchups against the Magic.
Kemba Walker is shooting 63.2 percent from the floor in averaging 19.7 points per game. Nicolas Batum 17.0 points per game, 7.0 rebounds per game and 8.3 assists per game on 56.8 percent shooting against the Magic. Marvin Williams and Cody Zeller each average 8.3 points per game against Orlando.
Charlotte has dominated with a largely balanced effort. But they have seen their two stars dominate even more in this matchup. And the margins have gotten out of control as the Hornets, in turn, suffocated the Magic’s offense.
Just as telling of the Hornets dominance this season, the Hornets have a +28.2 net rating against the Magic this season. Charlotte posts a 124.9 offensive rating and a 96.7 defensive rating in the three games.
The Magic have a lot of work to do to make up that ground and get a victory in this final meeting this season.
"“I think it’s the way they play defense,” Evan Fournier said. “They force you to really look at the weakside and always play the extra pass. It’s something that we’ve struggled at this season. They play hard. They have good defenders. They are a tough matchup for us. I’m positive if we play the right way and with the right focus, we can definitely beat them.”"
Evan Fournier said the Magic do not need reminding of the Hornets’ dominance this season. When a team gets beat by 40 points, a team remembers that. There should not be any need for added motivation or calls for pride.
More than the individual opponent, the Magic need to avoid those devastating defeats like the one a few weeks ago in Charlotte. Orlando has to continue building good habits and playing at a higher level.
That is probably paramount ahead of the Magic seeking their first three-game win streak since early December. For a Magic team trying to build a winning culture, the focus is on each individual game rather than building a streak. But, undoubtedly for a team struggling even to get two wins in a row, the significance is not lost.
Orlando Magic
Beating the Hornets would be nice. But doing things the right way to get a win and carrying over the momentum from the last two games would be even more important.
It starts with beating a team that has dominated the Magic so thoroughly this season.
"“Tonight, we’re just trying to beat the Hornets,” Fournier said. “They whooped our ass all season long by a big margin. It’s going to be a pride game tonight. They play very good defense, they load to the basketball, they lock the paint up. We’re going to have to make the right play offensively to beat them.”"
The Hornets provide one of the Magic’s toughest challenges matchup wise. Vogel said the team will make some minor adjustments and do things that are a little bit outside what they normally do to combat the Hornets.
But Orlando still has to put all the pieces together. This is not the Philadelphia 76ers or Phoenix Suns. The Hornets are fighting for a Playoff spot still and need a win as badly as the Magic want it.
Next: Energy is the basis for Orlando Magic's culture
For the Magic to do that, they have to finish off a team they have struggled with a ton.