Orlando Magic Grades: Orlando Magic 128, Phoenix Suns 112

The Orlando Magic started their road trip on the right foot, defeating the Phoenix Suns in runaway fashion. They dominated offensively and pulled together.

Aaron Gordon‘s game has grown by leaps and bounds since last year. Nowhere is that more apparent than with his 3-point shot. It is clear in other parts of his game too. He is growing as a player.

He took Alex Len off the baseline as the shot clock wound down, drawing an and-one. It came at a critical point in the third quarter as the Phoenix Suns made a run at the new lead the Orlando Magic had grown.

His growth was most apparent with his playmaking. His decisionmaking is still coming around. Aaron Gordon is slowly making the right decisions. And that is the same for the team.

So when Aaron Gordon got the ball right into the middle of the lane, three Suns players waiting to converge on him and try to pressure him into a mistake, Gordon whipped the ball out to Shelvin Mack. Shelvin Mack calmly drained the 3-pointer and the Magic had their lead rolling.

The starters essentially did not play the entire fourth quarter in defeating the Suns 128-112 at Talking Stick Resort Arena on Friday to kick off this four-game West Coast road trip.

Orlando was dominant offensively, shooting 52.4 percent and getting to the foul line for 43 free throw attempts. That has been the expectation for the Magic throughout this season. orlando just continues to hit shot after shot.

The defense was the variable for Orlando throughout the game.

The Suns were able to keep up with the Magic mostly through the Magic’s poor, sloppy play at times. Orlando committed 18 turnovers, including six from Elfrid Payton, to help Phoenix stay in the game.

The turnovers fed the Suns’ fast break, particularly rookie Josh Jackson, and kept them in the game. That was about all Phoenix could do to keep pace. Because the Suns were certainly not stopping anyone.

Orlando got itself in trouble when the team did not pass the ball too. The Magic recorded 29 assists on their 43 field goals.

The Magic outplayed the Suns throughout the second half. They were the aggressive, more controlled team. They got the ball moving and limited their turnovers, building as much as a 25-point lead. Orlando finished the job from there.

Next: OMD Roundtable: Fast starts and what's next

The Orlando Magic’s road trip continues Saturday in Denver as the team takes on the Denver Nuggets.