Orlando Magic play for each other and finally reap the rewards

The Orlando Magic have struggled to get themselves going on either end of the floor. At long last, the Magic broke through and got the reward of a win.

Elfrid Payton got the ball in the open court and saw Jonathon Simmons running down the wing, cutting near the baseline to the basket. The play was a simple one to make. Maybe a bit difficult to execute, but the path was clear.

Elfrid Payton threw the ball high up toward Jonathon Simmons. He grabbed it with one hand and tried to slam it down. The ball fell off the rim with a bit of a thud, oxygen escaping the Amway Center as the anticipation for a big play went unrewarded.

But Simmons came down right where the ball was. And he picked it up, surveyed the defense closing in on him — two or three players trying to cut off his path to the rim. That is when Jonathon Simmons kicked it out to Evan Fournier at the 3-point line. He calmly drained the 3-pointer to give the Orlando Magic an 100-85 lead, closing the door on any chance for a Detroit Pistons comeback in a 102-89 win at the Amway Center on Thursday.

The Magic felt whole again with Evan Fournier and Aaron Gordon back in the lineup. The team suddenly had some life and spark. Even in the few moments where the team was trying to force things and found themselves chasing the lead a bit. Orlando found its composure and found a way to share the ball and keep each other involved — whether it was in transition or in the half court.

The “trust the pass” mantra that coach Frank Vogel imparts on his team constantly stuck. And with the team’s best players (finally) back in place, everything clicked for Orlando.

"“There’s a huge emphasis the last couple days of playing for each other,” Vogel said. “I mean we emphasize it all year, but more importantly the last couple games, it’s been about other guys trying to pick up the scoring load. It has to be about the pass. It has to be about creating for others. The pass makes the game easy. And we had our best passing game of the last few weeks tonight and it resulted in better shooting.”"

The team finally got its payoff, playing with intense focus throughout the game and helping get the team going from the very start.

Orlando ended up with just a relatively meager 22 assists on 37 field goal makes. The shooting was not great all game. And even though Orlando led for most of the game, they still had their moments where players were trying to force action and not getting much of anywhere. It was here where the Pistons made their runs.

The Magic will have to continue fighting these demons. Some of that is certainly going to be breaking habits from weeks of playing undermanned and someone having to step up to the plate.

Orlando Magic

But the pass is always the way out. It has always been the biggest key for the Magic and their offensive success. It also helps key the team’s defensive energy too, something that was definitely as high as it has ever been even with the offense struggling for stretches.

"“Everybody wants to win,” Payton said. “The initial thought is to try to do more. But I think you have to help each other with the pass.”"

Better ball movement helped the Magic unlock the intensity they needed and the offense they would need to eke out this game.

Aaron Gordon, in observing the team while he was out, noted the ball tended to stick at times as players tried to make offense happen.

That was not the case throughout the game Thursday. The ball kept moving quickly. And even if the Magic were not the most efficient team offensively, their shots were generally better. And their focus was better defensively overall.

It helped to get stronger play from Payton. He continued his scoring play in leading the team with 19 points. But he added eight rebounds and eight assists too, adding to that all-around game that seems to push the Magic to another level.

Payton was an easy driver getting into the lane and causing the defense to collapse around him. He was smart with how he pushed the pace too.

Payton has gotten the Magic’s energy and pace up. And that has helped support some improved play.

The engine is humming a lot better.

"“[Payton] has the ability to get everyone else going,” Vogel said. “He has to not lose sight of that and I thought he did that tonight. He did a great job creating for others. When everybody is getting involved on the offensive end, the defense gets energized. That was one of the messages. Even though he scored the ball at a high level the last two games, that he has the power to get everybody else energized by playing with the pass.”"

Payton was a clear catalyst for the team, pushing the pace and getting everyone involved. He made the entire team better with his presence and got the team through some tough moments.

Everyone’s energy was brought up. It was clear Orlando was playing at a higher level. The energy from the pass and from playing together — and from playing ahead — was clear. Some of it certainly came from getting two key players back in the lineup.

The Magic finally got their reward for some hard work. Things just clicked and everything made some easy sense. That is partially what winning can do.

Orlando still had to fight for it though. The team still had its rough moments. But, for a change, the team persevered through them.

Next: Grades: Orlando Magic 102, Detroit Pistons 89

And they did it together.