Decision-making issues haunting the Orlando Magic

Decision-making problems have been haunting the Orlando Magic. It started with poor shot selection. It materialized as errant passes and turnovers against the Indiana Pacers.

The Orlando Magic and Indiana Pacers must have felt like they were looking themselves in the mirror entering Monday night’s game.

Both teams have had their ups and downs. They both started the year with low expectations and few, if any, big names on their rosters. They started hot, hitting long twos and threes at unsustainable rates, but have since begun to cool.

Still, these teams have looked better than most predicted. Young talent on both teams — Victor Oladipo and Aaron Gordon — is frequently mentioned among (very) early Most Improved Player Award candidates.

They are now fighting to prove their early success was not a fluke.

Monday night’s game was back and forth. Decision-making problems have haunted the Magic.

A staggering blowout loss against the Utah Jazz started with extremely poor shot selection. In the first half against the Pacers, it materialized as errant passes and turnovers early and bad shots later.

Elfrid Payton can be a dynamic transition playmaker. But even in halfcourt sets, he often drives too far into the lane before making a decision. He ends up in thick traffic, forcing a pass through multiple defenders that naturally leads to easy points for the opposition.

Sometimes this approach works for him. When he gets within five feet of the basket, especially on a fastbreak, he often forces the defense to collapse and open up the corners.

Even in this game, this strategy generated some nice looks for Evan Fournier, including one three in crunch time. But more often than not, the Pacers defended the paint and were quick to rotate back out and defend the perimeter.

That defense forced Elfrid Payton into difficult passes early in the game, which he attempted against his better judgment. That led to his four first-half turnovers. It also forced him into difficult shots later in the game. He shot 1 for 7 from the field.

Orlando Magic

Nikola Vucevic had his fair share of turnovers. But unlike Payton, instead of them coming in an effort to involve others, they were usually the result of him failing to recognize help defense arriving against him in the post. The Pacers’ wing defenders, Oladipo especially, were happy to pick his pocket and cash in at the other end.

Like Elfrid Payton, Nikola Vucevic also had four turnovers in the first half. But his three of his six three-point attempts fell, helping him to a 25-point night.

Aaron Gordon also had his share of miscues, forcing shots in transition and making ill-advised passes and handoff attempts early in the shot clock.

This team has struggled to rebound and Gordon’s production there has been crucial. He had 12 boards Monday, many of which led to him bringing up the ball in transition. Having Gordon grab-and-go is great for pushing the pace and initiating offense early, which is this team’s bread and butter. But he just is not good enough of a ball-handler or playmaker for that to be a reliable option.

He may have been a small forward last season, but he should not be initiating the offense or bringing the ball up as much for half-court situations. Many of his turnovers and his worst shots come directly after one of his rebounds and before any of his teammates touch the ball.

Early in the second half, shot selection issues reared their ugly heads again. Players missed shots they have made this season, but for the most part, they settled for contested jumpers and well-defended attempts at the rim.

A spirited comeback attempted cut it within three. Too little, too late.

Give the Pacers credit: the help defense was always there and it was effective, in the post and on drives. Oladipo flirted with the Pacers’ franchise record for steals in one game, snagging seven steals. A laxer defensive team might have yielded a more efficient night to the Magic.

But it looked like every time down the court, there was no solid plan B when they ran into that solid defense. No consistent second or third options to generate better looks.

It is hard to determine whether that is a game-planning or execution problem. But it has been recurring.

Even during this young season’s high points, the offense treaded a very fine line between haphazard and aggressive. Sometimes the only visible difference is whether the shots fall. They did not Monday night, at least not enough.

After the game, coach Frank Vogel conceded his point guards may have been out of rhythm. Elfrid Payton and D.J. Augustin both have missed a lot of time already this season. That may have accounted for some of the team’s ugly turnovers and bad shots. Hopefully, the Magic find their groove soon as the schedule does not get any easier until December.

The Magic offense needs a reliable answer to good defense. Fastbreaking is not always enough.

Sometimes patience in the halfcourt — the presence of mind to run through multiple options and make a smart decision — pays dividends. When the Magic are struggling offensively, it feels like they lose this patience.

Next: Grades: Indiana Pacers 105, Orlando Magic 97

That only digs them further into the hole.