Jonathon Simmons plays on adrenaline and Orlando Magic’s trust

The Orlando Magic lost themselves in the middle of the season. But everyone can sense the team’s trust growing. And Jonathon Simmons‘ revival is example A.

Jonathon Simmons limped through the Orlando Magic locker room about an hour after the team had put the finishing touches on a 116-98 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

No one would ever have guessed the guard lumbering through the locker room and asking to sit for his postgame interview was flying to the rim for two-handed jams and absorbing and finishing through contact in the paint not so long ago.

This was the guy who nearly outscored the Cavaliers on his own in the second half, totaling 29 of his 34 points.

Simmons said of his troublesome right ankle was sore after playing through that game. The ankle he turned in the second half of Monday’s win over the Miami Heat and nearly kept him from playing in Tuesday’s game.

But he was going to play this game if he could. In a big matchup against one of the Eastern Conference’s top teams, he knew his teammates needed him. Increasingly that has been the difference for the Magic team — suddenly winners of five of their last 10 games and holding a win streak for the first time since Nov. 8-10.

The Magic trust each other more.

"“Just guys working harder and actually believing in each other,” Simmons said of the Magic’s recent stretch of winning. “I think we had a disbelief in each other in the middle of the season. I think that is getting back. Guys are being more likable and we can only get better.”"

Things have started to come together for the team. Everyone can feel it as the Magic have played noticeably better and the wins have started to follow.

After his career-best performance, Simmons gave the credit to his teammates for putting him in position to score. But the third quarter was a lot of Simmons doing what he needed to do and attacking the basket aggressively.

Simmons had to do a lot to score 22 of his career-high 34 points in the third quarter, keying the Magic’s comeback victory.

He said he had tunnel vision as he completely focused on his effort to try to get the win. With the injury, Simmons was playing wholly on adrenaline it seemed. Each drive to the rim came with intensity and ferocity. Simmons had his fair share of jams.

He said he found gaps in the defense and his teammates found him in open spots. Simmons just took care of the rest. His scoring barrage was certainly a culmination of that hard work and that trust.

"“He is one of the young players who is growing, in terms of experience in the league,” coach Frank Vogel said. “He is carrying a much bigger load than he ever has in his career. You’re going to be weighed down by that a little bit. You have to adjust and you have to get through it. That is part of growing and developing is being able to carry that load of late as he has for us.”"

Simmons has seen a bit of a revival in recent games. He has had to take on a larger responsibility than at any other point in his career with this team. That expansion in his role was one of the reasons he signed with the Magic in the offseason.

His 14.1 points per game are easily a career high. He is shooting a solid 47.3 percent from the floor, albeit also shooting just 33.3 percent from beyond the arc. That might explain why Simmons was willing to pass on some of his open shots.

The 1,499 total minutes Simmons has played so far this year has already surpassed his career highs for a single season. At one point, Vogel said Simmons had to find his second wind as he shouldered this heavier burden.

In his last 10 games (where the Magic have gone 5-5), Simmons is averaging 14.3 points per game while shooting 54.1 percent from the floor and 41.4 percent from beyond the arc. His shot selection and ability to get to the basket have improved as he has turned the corner on his season.

Other players have followed similar trends.

But on a much deeper level, the team’s improvement goes beyond Simmons. The comeback was about the team never giving up.

Simmons has succeeded because the team is trusting each other more and moving the ball better — including Simmons. When the team does that, everyone gets better and plays better.

It may not mean much for the long term or that they are building something for the future. But they are doing something.

"“We’re playing better,” Evan Fournier said. “It’s hard to say that we are building something. We still have so many guys out. It’s been such a tough season, you don’t want to say that. But we’re definitely playing better. I don’t know about the building part.”"

Shelvin Mack said the team probably would have folded earlier in the season if they had fallen behind by 21 points. In some ways, coming from behind as the Magic had to make the victory even sweeter. It took a complete effort.

Shelvin Mack said the team is starting to trust each other and making the extra pass. That is making a big difference. And it permeates to other parts of the game.

Orlando Magic

The Magic tightened the screws defensively — another aspect of the game that requires trust. There were still plenty of mistakes and defensive breakdowns, but the team recovered.

Orlando remained in attack mode. That is where Simmons is at his best. And he led the charge to key the victory. And this Magic revival.

Simmons said comfort is building in everyone. And these kinds of games are the games that build confidence. And those winning habits that have eluded the team.

"“I do feel something building,” Simmons said. “We can only get better. I love what we’re doing. As long as we continue to get better and believe in each other, we’ll be fine.”"

The team is playing much better these days, there is no doubt. Simmons was pushing the team to get back into the game and eventually overtake the Cavaliers. It was the kind of gutsy effort the team was desperate for.

The kind of effort that inspires everyone.

Next: Grades: Orlando Magic 116, Cleveland Cavaliers 98

And if there is something to salvage from this season, it is moments like these. Moments where the team seems to be completely in sync and dominating their opponents and whatever matchup they are given.