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Orlando Magic Grades: Denver Nuggets 125, Orlando Magic 107

By Philip Rossman-Reich

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 11: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic goes to the basket against the Denver Nuggets on November 11, 2017 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. 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 Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 11: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic goes to the basket against the Denver Nuggets on November 11, 2017 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. 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 Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Orlando Magic could not keep pace with the Denver Nuggets from the very beginning in a disheartening loss that proved to be another bad night.

It did not take long for the Denver Nuggets to get on top and stay there.

Every weakness for the Orlando Magic came to the fore again as the defense broke down and the offense failed to keep pace. The Magic have increasingly had more games like this. Their defense exposed as their offensive frustrations grew.

Sure, the team could again lean on the excuse that both Elfrid Payton and D.J. Augustin were out. Three of the team’s five losses have come without their top two point guards. The Magic opted to rest Elfrid Payton on the second night of a back to back as he continues to recover from a strained hamstring.

But quickly the patterns begin to emerge. The Magic still have a long way to go defensively, despite their gaudy statistics.

It is not the 30-plus points from Jamal Murray or the gorgeous and impossible tip passes from Nikola Jokic which do the Magic in. It is the little plays that lead to those.

The quick shots that do not go in and create break out opportunities, heads drooping in some disappointment as the team struggles to gain offensive traction. It is the poor box outs allowing the Nuggets to attack the offensive glass or keep the ball alive to save the possession or slow the Magic offense. It is the making 3-pointers or beating imprecise closeouts to get into the lane and start moving the ball.

Orlando was just off all night on both ends. Denver did whatever it wanted in the 125-107 win at Pepsi Center on Saturday. The Magic could not keep pace and found themselves down early. And never able to get back into it.

The Magic got the lead to within 12 with a bench rally in the fourth quarter. But could not get any closer. The Nuggets were too firmly in control. Orlando could not get that last juice to get over the top. A valiant return from a 30-point deficit, but far too little and too late.

Orlando’s offense got going — the team shot 47.1 percent from the floor albeit with a disappointing 11 for 31 from beyond the arc — but the defense never could corral Denver. The Magic could not afford to trade baskets. And that is when those missed shots and quick shots hurt more and more.

G/F. Orlando Magic. JONATHON SIMMONS. B. There is a look in <a href=

PG. Orlando Magic. SHELVIN MACK. C+. With Elfrid Payton and <a href=

B+. <a href=. SF. Orlando Magic. EVAN FOURNIER

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

DENVER NUGGETS. A. The Denver Nuggets are starting to pick up steam after a slow start to the season. Things can really work for this team. And just like the Orlando Magic, they like to pass the ball. That is their path to success and effectiveness. They have the passers to do it and they dished the ball to devastating effect.<p>Nikola Jokic makes some impossible passes for a big man. His nine assists are no fluke. And Denver consistently got open shots. That is how Jamal Murray scored 32 points and hit six of nine 3-pointers.</p><p>Denver dominated the game on both ends for much of the contest. The Nuggets did their work early, making life difficult for the Magic. And creating a lead they could not get back from.</p>. 8-5. 3rd West

The Orlando Magic continue their West Coast swing Monday in Oakland, Calif. against the defending champion Golden State Warriors.