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Orlando Magic Grades: Charlotte Hornets 120, Orlando Magic 113

By Philip Rossman-Reich

CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 29: Jeremy Lamb #3 of the Charlotte Hornets runs into teammates D.J. Augustin #14 and Jonathon Simmons #17 of the Orlando Magic during their game at Spectrum Center on October 29, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 29: Jeremy Lamb #3 of the Charlotte Hornets runs into teammates D.J. Augustin #14 and Jonathon Simmons #17 of the Orlando Magic during their game at Spectrum Center on October 29, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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The Orlando Magic struggled on both ends for the first time all year. Unable to corral Kemba Walker, they fell on the road to start a three-game trip.

Kemba Walker was the momentum stopper.

Jonathon Simmons helped bring some energy to a struggling Orlando Magic team and bring the team within three points of the Charlotte Hornets on the road. And Jonathon Simmons would get the call defending Kemba Walker down the stretch.

It did not matter very much. Even with Simmons’ prodigious defensive ability. Orlando was too disconnected defensively and Walker too good.

Walker would come over screens and read the defense, seeing Nikola Vucevic dropping down, and fire for three. Or he would squeeze through the defense trying to close him down and force the next level of the Magic defense to step in.

In all, Walker totaled 34 points on 15-for-25 shooting to spearhead a 120-113 Hornets victory at Spectrum Center on Sunday. When he was in the game, the Hornets were an astounding +22. The Magic could only make their runs when Walker was out of the game. And their shots just fell too late.

In what is undoubtedly the worst game the Magic have played on both ends, they gave into frustration numerous times as the Hornets stymied their offense time and time again. It did not help the Magic missed nearly every open shot they could get in the first half.

Orlando started at a deficit, it seemed, against a good defensive team and could never find their connectivity. The ball did not move crisply around the perimeter or in and out. The Magic settled for shots and got caught forcing everything.

Orlando shot 42.3 percent from the floor and 11 for 33 from beyond the arc. It was just not a good night. Especially for the defense to struggle so much.

Kemba Walker was a big part of it, but Dwight Howard did his part too. Howard sucked up a lot of attention in the paint, scoring 22 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. And the Hornets beat a late-rotating and collapsing Magic defense for 68 points in the paint.

Orlando could not keep its containment or rotate effectively. All the Magic’s weaknesses defensively they had successfully hidden so far came to roost. Orlando could not get the stops it needed down the stretch as the offense struggled to find its footing.

The Magic kept themselves in it. They never lost complete touch with the Hornets. They had a chance to win in the end, but could not get over that final hill. Charlotte took advantage of Orlando’s weaknesses and handed Orlando its second defeat.

A-. The Orlando Magic were clearly frustrated and searching for some energy early in the game. They needed someone to inject some liveliness into the team and get them to push past some of their frustration. That is exactly what the Magic signed Jonathon Simmons to do. And that is exactly what he did.<p>Simmons scored a career-high 27 points on 9-for-15 shooting. He was one of the few players who was aggressive and strong attacking the basket. He was relatively patient and forced contact, knocking the Hornets back a bit. That kind of forced, effective action, was important for the Magic.</p><p>Simmons was the best player on the floor for the Magic. He was willing to mix things up and get after players defensively. He was at least able to slow Kemba Walker down some in the fourth quarter. But by then, it was too late. The Magic were forcing things too much offensively. Simmons was at least reliable throughout.</p>. SG. Orlando Magic. JONATHON SIMMONS

C. Orlando Magic. NIKOLA VUCEVIC. D. <a target=

B+. <a rel=. G/F. Orlando Magic. TERRENCE ROSS

D. The Orlando Magic have gotten some great play from <a rel=. PG. Orlando Magic. D.J. AUGUSTIN

A-. The Charlotte Hornets are still figuring out a way to win games consistently. But this is undoubtedly a team that will compete for a Playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Dwight Howard has been strong on the glass all year and Kemba Walker is a real difference maker. They have struggled to score, but Steve Clifford has them playing with a set defensive identity.<p>The Hornets made the strong Magic offense stagnant throughout the game, forcing long cross-court passes and drives to difficult corners. Orlando could never quite get itself free to create the ball movement and drives that characterized the first five games. The Hornets simply put up a wall to prevent the Magic from doing anything.</p><p>Offensively, they fed Howard early and Walker late. And they never let up. They were the ones moving the ball effectively and attacking aggressively in transition. The Hornets had a hot-shooting night for sure. They made some difficult shots that discouraged the Magic’s defense. But they kept that momentum going and had one of their better games this year.</p>. 3-3. 8th East. CHARLOTTE HORNETS

Next: Early season trends for the Orlando Magic

The Magic will have to pick up the pieces quickly. They head to New Orleans on Monday night to take on the New Orleans Pelicans next.