Orlando Magic Daily
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5 questions that remain for Orlando Magic at preseason’s midpoint

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - OCTOBER 7: Jordan Mickey #25 of the Miami Heat goes to the basket against the Orlando Magic during a preseason game on October 8, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - OCTOBER 7: Jordan Mickey #25 of the Miami Heat goes to the basket against the Orlando Magic during a preseason game on October 8, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Elfrid Payton, Orlando Magic, Memphis Grizzlies
MEMPHIS, TN – OCTOBER 2: Elfrid Payton #2 of the Orlando Magic handles the ball during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies during a preseason game on October 2, 2017 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

How do the Orlando Magic execute in the half court?

The Orlando Magic are certainly going to be running an up-tempo offense. They have shown that throughout their play so far in the preseason. It is something Frank Vogel emphasizes at every turn.

The first quarter against the Miami Heat on Saturday was the apex of what the Magic want to be on offense. They pushed the ball up the floor, even off makes, and flowed naturally into a secondary-break offense. This is how the Magic need to play.

This is how the Magic need to play.

Several players said they would like to go through a game without calling a play and just “flow” into their offense. They want to be able to get down the court and catch the defense in retreat while they are setting up. That is how they will create mismatches and offensive opportunities.

Saturday, and throughout the preseason, the Magic have struggled when they slow down and play in the half court. The second quarter in the game against the Memphis Grizzlies saw D.J. Augustin slow the pace down and run pick and roll after pick and roll with Bismack Biyombo. The same happened in the second quarter against the Heat and for much of the rest of that game after the first quarter.

This is not to single out D.J. Augustin. All three point guards — Elfrid Payton, D.J. Augustin and Shelvin Mack need to keep the pace up. That will get te Magic some easy baskets and unleash their athleticism all over the roster.

But the same problems for this team exist. They lack a consistent playmaker and scorer and they lack a lot of outside shooting. For whatever preseason stats are worth, the Magic have a 105.5 offensive rating this year, which is a fairly good number. But the team has a horrid 46.8 percent effective field goal percentage.

The team still needs to be more efficient with its shooting. That stat is likely something that will carry over to the regular season. And the Magic know they cannot fast break for the entire game. It is just impossible.

The Magic will have to continue working on their half-court offense to get ready for the regular season. It has been inconsistent, to say the least, so far. But that will be the difference between success and failure this season.