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Orlando Magic Grades: Washington Wizards 125, Orlando Magic 119

By Philip Rossman-Reich

WASHINGTON, DC -  JANUARY 12: Marcin Gortat #13 of the Washington Wizards and Bismack Biyombo #11 of the Orlando Magic box each other out on January 12, 2018 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC -  JANUARY 12: Marcin Gortat #13 of the Washington Wizards and Bismack Biyombo #11 of the Orlando Magic box each other out on January 12, 2018 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Orlando Magic and Washington Wizards had no shortage of offense. But the Wizards had the plays down the stretch to top the Magic.

The Orlando Magic made one last panicky run to defeat the Washington Wizards. Their short-lived one-point lead disappeared in a wave of John Wall jumpers as the teams started to try to force action to go after each other.

Wall was going to win that battle. And with the Magic trying desperately to erase that late eight-point deficit, it was John Wall who topped Aaron Gordon.

Trailing by five points, Aaron Gordon got out in transition on a one-on-two break. Gordon took on the two defenders and got to the rim. He put the ball up on the backboard, appearing on replay to knick the rim on the way up, but Wall was behind him. Before it could hit the glass, Wall blocked the shot. Officials determined it was not a goaltend.

With a minute to play and that five-point lead safely intact, Wall drove through the lane, breaking down a fractured defense and got to the rim for a layup. That made the lead insurmountable for the Magic.

Orlando did not have enough offense in a 125-119 loss to Washington at Capital One Arena on Friday.

And that was what this game was about from the very beginning. There was not much defense played at all. The Wizards shot 56.8 percent from the floor and the Magic shot 51.2 percent. It was a slow, lazy game defensively. When the teams were able to create a bit of defensive rhythm, that is when they were able to zoom ahead.

It felt like the Wizards were going to expand their lead and stretch it into double figures on several occasions. The third quarter was that dreaded time again. Orlando got into the bonus early and was bleeding points. But Aaron Gordon delivered some solid plays and Elfrid Payton kept the pressure up. The Magic fought their way back again and again.

The Magic’s offense kept them in the game and they stayed in rhythm and kept rolling. Until the pressure got too much and time ran out. Evan Fournier and Aaron Gordon were not the top scorers on this team tonight, but they are still the most important players. They could not convert in the fourth quarter when their number was called. And that hurt the team in the end.

The Wizards made their plays down the stretch. The Magic did not.

Coach Frank Vogel was encouraged with his team’s effort — and especially their passing — but it was ultimately a game without the desired results.

C. Orlando Magic. BISMACK BIYOMBO. B+. Every piece of offense you can get from <a href=

C+. Aaron Gordon was making a conscious effort to move the ball and keep it moving. He passed up a lot of shots he normally takes and driving opportunities he usually forces. He wanted to learn a lesson from his game Wednesday. That led to some great passes and some fantastic ball movement. His commitment to ball movement helped proliferate throughout the team.<p>Eventually, he found his opportunities. So long as they came within the flow of the offense he was making shots and making some nice plays. He was perhaps not involved enough in the first half, taking just two shots, but he still made a big impact. Gordon finished with 14 points, 10 rebounds and a career-high seven assists. That sounds like a solid night.</p><p>But Gordon hit on just 4 of 15 shots. And he fell back into his star-craved habits late in the game. With the team leading by one, he drove wildly into the paint and took a bad shot. That helped the Wizards retake the lead. He tried it again a possession later and the Magic fell further into the hole. Gordon has to keep the ball moving and cannot over dribble. That is a big lesson for him. He can make plays when he looks to pass and attack smartly.</p>. PF. Orlando Magic. AARON GORDON

B+. <a href=. G/F. Orlando Magic. JONATHON SIMMONS

Orlando Magic. EVAN FOURNIER. C. <a href=. G/F

WASHINGTON WIZARDS. B-. There are definitely things the Washington Wizards cannot be happy with. This strong defensive team just gave up 110-plus points to one of the worst offenses in the league. This was a game that fell into that up-and-down nature of this team. They showed why they have been a bit of a disappointment. But also why they can be so good.<p>Bradley Beal scored 30 points and dished out seven assists. John Wall scored 30 points and dished out nine assists. He took over the game at the end. And the Wizards found the defense they needed down the stretch, forcing turnovers and frustrating the Magic at the very end. Washington was always in control of this game.</p><p>The Wizards will have to do a better job finding balance. They had several opportunities to put this game away and let the Magic creep back in. Even at the end Orlando still had its chances. Wall finally finished the Magic off.</p>. 24-18. 5th East

Next: Orlando Magic Second Quarter MVP: Aaron Gordon

The Orlando Magic get a few days off and return home to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday.