The Orlando Magic played a better, more energetic game, but still could not stop the bleeding as the Miami Heat raced past them in the fourth quarter.
The Orlando Magic played with a renewed determination, perhaps refreshed by the surprise return of Evan Fournier and Jonathan Isaac to the lineup. They had control of the game, taking as much as an 11-point lead in the third quarter.
This is not a group that was going to coast to victory. But Orlando was playing with the renewed spirit and energy of a team that was fighting for something at long last. At least fighting for some pride.
The defense was connected and swarming, forcing misses and challenging shots. They brought the energy up offensively. And even with a poor shooting percentage, Orlando was in control. The Magic looked much more like the team they were in November rather than the disaster they have been in December.
Everything still feels precarious. And the wheels came off quickly for Orlando. The shots stopped falling, the energy dropped and the Miami Heat took advantage.
Wayne Ellington made four of his six 3-point makes in the fourth quarter to key a 39-21 fourth quarter, breaking a tie through 36 minutes. The Magic were seemingly powerless to get the stops they so desperately need. Ellington was hitting contested threes and Orlando had no answer in a 107-89 loss to Miami at American Airlines Arena on Tuesday.
The Magic now have their second nine-game losing streak of the season and have lost 20 of their last 23 games. This is a team that is seeking positives and finding few. About the only positive to take away from Tuesday was the strong start spurred from the return of Evan Fournier and Jonathan Isaac. And Aaron Gordon is supposedly not too far behind.
But, yet again, when the opponent got on a hot streak and started rolling, the Magic were unable to answer. Let alone give much of a response. That has characterized this team as much as anything. Orlando struggles to stop the bleeding.
It took longer to get there this time. But it came and left the Magic devastated.
The Orlando Magic hope to get Aaron Gordon back and continue to integrate Evan Fournier and Jonathan Isaac back in the rotation as they take on the Detroit Pistons at the Amway Center on Thursday.