The Orlando Magic have been solid protecting the ball for much of the season. The last two games have seen an uptick in turnovers, one the team must correct
Mario Hezonja made the kind of play that makes Not Top 10 lists and gag reels for the offseason. The kind of play that gets an immediate benching and plenty of odd looks from the coach. A kind of play that is emblematic of a team that is just a bit out of sync.
Leading the pack on a four-on-one fast break, Mario Hezonja went for the flashy play instead of the simple. He tried to bounce the ball to a teammate to his right between his own legs. Instead, the ball knocked off his thigh and right to the retreating Ish Smith, sending the Detroit Pistons back the other way.
Everyone got in their good laughs watching the highlight on tape — and reveling in Hezonja seemingly rediscovering that pre-draft swagger he was so famous for — but it was emblematic of problems for the Magic throughout the second quarter.
Detroit erased a 10-point deficit thanks to a 14-0 run in the quarter. A lot of that run was keyed by Magic turnovers. Orlando committed eight of the team’s 19 turnovers in the second quarter of that game, giving up the lead and having to scramble to get it tied at halftime.
The same problem plagued the team in Tuesday’s loss to the Miami Heat. The Magic committed 10 of the team’s 17 turnovers in the third quarter when they gave up an 11-point lead.
In both cases, it seemed the team had the same issue. Players perhaps trying to do a bit too much and the team forcing play, perhaps even getting a little frustrated by an offense that was slowing down some.
To be sure, it was a common theme from each game.
"“Just trying to be on the same page,” Elfrid Payton said. “I think a couple of passes last night we were trying to do the right thing but there were some unfortunate events. We know it is a problem and trying to take care of it as quickly as possible.”"
The Magic are about a league-average team when it comes to turnovers. They rank 15th in the league with a 14.7 percent turnover rate (they turn the ball over on 14.7 percent of their possessions). And they are 14th in assist-to-turnover rate.
Even in the last 10 games, the Magic have been fine with turnovers. During that losing streak, Orlando had a 14.3 percent turnover rate. Turnovers simply were not a concern for the Magic as much as getting and making good shots.
In order to do that latter part, coach Frank Vogel asked his team to try to pick up the pace more. And as tends to happen with teams that try to quicken their pace and get out in transition, there are naturally more turnovers.
Orlando is not seeing a major uptick in turnovers, but it was definitely a problem for the team in the last two games.
"“We have a different group,” Vogel said. “We are reinventing ourselves again. There is going to be some newness that you have when guys are in and out of the lineup.“You just have to not force. You ahve to play the game without forcing. We do that too much. It’s the simplest way to put it.”"
Return from injuries have certainly hurt the turnover picture. Evan Fournier committed four turnovers in his first game back Tuesday and then another three in Thursday’s win. Aaron Gordon had five turnovers Thursday. There is a bit of timing that both players have to get down as they return from injury with the ball in their hands.
There are new lineups to adjust to as well and that has all thrown the Magic slightly off rhythm.
Elfrid Payton is a big part of the team controlling the pace and keeping the ball. He has been strong the last few games with his scoring, but his playmaking has also seen an uptick. And Payton has largely controlled his turnovers.
He is averaging 2.4 turnovers per game and has largely kept his turnovers under control. He is someone the team usually trusts to make the right play. And he has emerged and seemingly will do more now that the Magic are slowly getting key players back.
Evan Fournier and Aaron Gordon are definitely major weapons for the team to bring back. And the offense should see an uptick with those two coming back with Payton playing this aggressively.
It remains very likely the Magic’s two high-turnover games are an aberration. But it is something the team recognizes and is trying to address.
Vogel said the team will have to limit drives into traffic and be smart watching for players trying to take charges. It is keeping that awareness that will be key to reducing the turnovers.
And then the team has to avoid their sometimes sloppy play. The Magic were definitely a bit off at times making passes that were a little too risky.
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Plays like that one Hezonja made in the second quarter on Thursday. Those are the obvious plays a team has to avoid. The rest of the turnovers are going to reduce as the team gets its timing back.