Orlando Magic find their grit, and the wins follow

The Orlando Magic have long lacked a toughness to make the little plays to win games. The last four games, they are finding that grit for the first time.

The difference between winning and losing is a very fine one. That is something the Orlando Magic have learned in the course of the last few seasons.

A team that looks talented and capable on paper may not actually have it.

There are things a young team has to learn to win consistently. And there is a mix that has to be just right.

Good players help shrink the margin of error. It is easier to skate over those mistakes with more talent. The Magic have not had that luxury. They have had to go at it with a crew that demands constant attention and intensity.

An attention and intensity that has not always been present for this Magic team. A good explainer for why the team’s record has fallen off so much.

They have the talent good enough to beat teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers and San Antonio Spurs. And now, the Eastern Conference-leading Boston Celtics.

What is the difference between the Magic team that went listlessly through December and much of January and the on that toppled the Celtics 103-95 at TD Garden on Sunday? That is seen in little moments — not anything captured statistically.

It is seen in the team’s grit. A characteristic that is often lacking from the Magic.

But there it was on full display against the Celtics. Elfrid Payton diving on the floor to dig out a steal or a 50/50 ball. Or Jonathon Simmons doing the same. Or Khem Birch flying out of position to block or challenge a shot and recovering for a rebound.

Again and again and again, the Magic were making these plays. The plays that were often lacking earlier in the season. The team was not always hustling to loose balls or winning those 50/50 battles.

These are the plays that matter in the end. The plays that make the difference between winning and losing. Between a team skyrocketing up the standings or sinking into the Lottery. That distinction — that little bit extra — have been missing too much.

Evan Fournier told reporters after the game the difference in these last four games where the Magic have played considerably better is simple: The Magic are playing harder and playing with more energy and hustle than they were before.

There is no measurement for this. Coach Frank Vogel said after the game about his team’s defense in the second half — which gave up just 74.9 points per 100 possessions in the second half — simply dug in and defended. There just is no way to measure this except to see it.

And it was plain how much the Magic were fighting and displaying that grit in this game.

Khem Birch displaced both Marreese Speights and Bismack Biyombo from the lineup, playing 17 minutes, nearly eclipsing Bismack Biyombo once again. Birch finished the game with the starters.

Birch has added a ton of energy to the team. His defensive presence and activity around the basket has proven to be contagious for the team. He has made a difference. And Vogel is giving him more and more trust. Birch will not tip games on his own statistically, but he will bring others to him.

When one player is going after possessions and loose balls with the gusto Birch is, it does indeed spread to others.

That has been the case for several games now.

The Magic are far from perfect, but the team is scrambling and recovering better than they have all season. They are embracing the grit it takes to win.

At least for now.

The Magic have been here before. They have found their defensive energy at times and played incredibly strong basketball at times. The team started 8-4 and the defense was a hallmark of that start. The team had a similarly strong start defensively last year too only to see the bottom drop off.

A few games do not make a culture nor does it mean the Magic are consistent. Orlando still sits in the bottom of the standings.

But, as far as the way the Magic need to play, this is as close as they have come. This was the team doing the things that do not show up in the box score that is necessary to win games.

Those intangibles were the missing ingredient perhaps. Maybe the Magic lacked the confidence to make those plays before. Maybe they needed the right push.

Orlando is getting that push right now. The games they are winning right now are not always pretty. Down by 23 points Thursday in Cleveland, Orlando’s defense stepped up in a big way to give itself a chance to win. Maybe the Magic have learned how much grittiness on defense it will take to win.

Is this sustainable? It does not appear so. Not with the history of this team. The Magic still have lost a lot of games. And bad habits are not broken in a day.

Still, Orlando is proving it does have this gear to turn to. The team can find the will and determination to give itself a chance to win.

Even against a top team like the Celtics.

Next: Grades: Orlando Magic 103, Boston Celtics 95

The Magic are finding their grittiness once again. And the wins are clearly following.