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Orlando Magic Grades: Orlando Magic 121, Oklahoma City Thunder 108

By Ricky Scricca

ORLANDO, FL - NOVEMBER 29: Elfrid Payton #2 of the Orlando Magic goes for a lay up against the Oklahoma City Thunder on November 29, 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 - NOVEMBER 29: Elfrid Payton #2 of the Orlando Magic goes for a lay up against the Oklahoma City Thunder on November 29, 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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The Orlando Magic ended their nine-game losing skid against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night with an excellent win reminiscent of the team’s hot start to the season.

One possession near the end of the game perfectly encapsulated this Orlando Magic win.

Aaron Gordon had the ball on the right side of the floor. Covered closely by Paul George, he dimed up Elfrid Payton instead of attempting a tough shot in isolation. Elfrid Payton hit Bismack Biyombo right under the hoop. The Oklahoma City Thunder defense collapsed on Bismack Biyombo so he kicked it out to Evan Fournier beyond the arc – open shot, three points.

It was a perfect example of the unselfish, smart play that typified this team’s hot start to the year.

Of course, there were still moments of ill-advised play on both ends — contested jumpers, poor help defense, rebounding issues — but the Thunder’s struggles gave the Magic more than enough room for error in a 121-108 streak-busting win at the Amway Center on Wednesday.

Russell Westbrook started the game with a string of ugly turnovers, finishing with seven total, and their bench units struggled to stay afloat. Paul George and Carmelo Anthony finished a combined 12 for 33 from the floor.

Westbrook nearly brought his team back from the depths with a 20-point fourth quarter, but it was not enough. Every time he drained an impossible three, the Magic seemed to have an answer.

The Thunder’s defense was solid, as it has been all season, but it could not take the Magic out of rhythm when it needed to. Importantly, everyone who brought the ball up for the Magic exercised poise when deciding whether to push the ball or pull things back and set up in the halfcourt. That helped limit turnovers.

Orlando’s total of 27 assists illustrated firstly their willingness to share the ball, but also their ability to find teammates for good looks. It is one thing to force last-second passes in traffic, but another to keep moving the ball until someone has daylight. Evan Fournier, Aaron Gordon and Nikola Vucevic were key beneficiaries here. And they cashed in with key crunch-time buckets.

D.J. Augustin’s bench minutes gave Orlando the stability it needed to pull away with the win against the Thunder’s second units. He hit open shots, made smart plays, and finished with the team’s second best plus-minus (he was a +18 – only Arron Afflalo’s +20 was better).

The Magic win when they are aggressive, but not haphazard. They play well when they play with pace but don’t force it. They play well when they trust each other and play unselfishly.

Wednesday night’s win was a perfect example of that, even if they benefited from relatively poor Thunder play. Now it is time to see if they can build off it against the Golden State Warriors on Friday.

PF. Orlando Magic. AARON GORDON. A. <a href=

A-. Elfrid Payton’s night got off to a roaring start. He crossed over the reigning MVP, Russell Westbrook, then stripped him at the other end in one wild first-quarter sequence.<p>He played with his typical frenetic pace and aggressiveness, except his decisions and the results were much better than it has generally been during this losing skid. Fewer forced shots and passes and some nice finishes inside led him to an 8-for-10 night shooting from the field. Similar to Aaron Gordon, he maintained high effort without playing haphazardly.</p><p>He held his own on defense even when bigger players tried posting him up. He added four steals and a block to go along with five defensive rebounds in a nice effort on that end.</p><p>Still, he finished with the team’s worst plus-minus (-5). That just might be a credit to <a href=. PG. Orlando Magic. ELFRID PAYTON

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

B. <a href=. C. Orlando Magic. BISMACK BIYOMBO

D. The Oklahoma City Thunder are clearly still figuring things out. This roster is star-studded and it is not just a hodgepodge of ill-fitting talent – there are clear ways for the Carmelo Anthony-Paul George-Russell Westbrook trio to work together, considering the spot-up shooting ability of the former two.<div class=. 8-12. 11th West. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

Outside of the big three, this roster has a solid supporting cast, albeit with questionable depth. Raymond Felton is an upgrade at backup point guard from last season. Jerami Grant can play and guard multiple frontcourt positions. Steven Adams is one of the league’s most underrated big men. Andre Roberson is an elite wing defender.

Farther down the bench is a little dicey, but this team has the tools to be excellent on both ends of the floor. It is just a matter of figuring out how everyone gets their offense and when. More creative sets and actions from head coach Billy Donovan would help, but in his defense, this cast of players was assembled at the last minute. The shortened preseason probably did not help either. Anyone would need some time to fully maximize this roster.

Still, Russell Westbrook catching fire in the fourth and finishing with 37 could not bring this team back into it. That should be a huge red flag for a franchise trying to compete with the Western Conference’s elite.

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D

The Oklahoma City Thunder are clearly still figuring things out. This roster is star-studded and it is not just a hodgepodge of ill-fitting talent – there are clear ways for the Carmelo Anthony-Paul George-Russell Westbrook trio to work together, considering the spot-up shooting ability of the former two.

Outside of the big three, this roster has a solid supporting cast, albeit with questionable depth. Raymond Felton is an upgrade at backup point guard from last season. Jerami Grant can play and guard multiple frontcourt positions. Steven Adams is one of the league’s most underrated big men. Andre Roberson is an elite wing defender.

Farther down the bench is a little dicey, but this team has the tools to be excellent on both ends of the floor. It is just a matter of figuring out how everyone gets their offense and when. More creative sets and actions from head coach Billy Donovan would help, but in his defense, this cast of players was assembled at the last minute. The shortened preseason probably did not help either. Anyone would need some time to fully maximize this roster.

Still, Russell Westbrook catching fire in the fourth and finishing with 37 could not bring this team back into it. That should be a huge red flag for a franchise trying to compete with the Western Conference’s elite.