The Orlando Magic recovered from the shock of the trade deadline deal and scored their third consecutive win, beating the Atlanta Hawks behind a late flurry.
Everyone it seemed was trying to pick up the slack. The shock of the trade deadline makes the game that day always feel a bit weird. Especially when an important player like Elfrid Payton is dealt away.
So everyone had to do a little bit more. Sometimes that means they were trying to do a bit too much more. When crunch time came around, everyone needed a reminder that they just have to do what they are best at.
Evan Fournier served that reminder for the Orlando Magic late. Entering the fourth quarter having made just four of his 11 shots, Evan Fournier made all three of his baskets in the fourth quarter.
His personal 8-2 run gave the Magic a five-point lead with a minute to lead. From there, the Orlando Magic had to hang on as the Atlanta Hawks nearly completed a comeback from seven points down with a minute to play.
Orlando held on for a 100-98 victory as Dewayne Dedmon missed a stepback 3-pointer late in the game. Orlando has its first three-game win streak since late October.
The Magic got stuck offensively in the first half scoring only 39 points. Their offense struggled some trying to get into the paint and create movement. When the team was not able to get out in transition things tended to bog down. Elfrid Payton’s absence was notable in this situation.
But Orlando found its footing in the second half — so too did Atlanta.
The Magic got the stops when they needed to down the stretch, but this was a difficult defensive game for the team in the second half. It proved difficult throughout as the Hawks seemed to have an answer. Neither team was able to gain separation.
Not until the final moments of the game. That was when Fournier took over. He was patient trying to drive through the lane or set up his shot. And he hit the jumpers he needed. The ones he was missing most of the game to that point.
The Magic played with plenty of energy and were game throughout. It was clear this was a battle between two of the worst teams in the league.
Orlando pulled through in the end, getting that elusive win on a day that still felt like a bit of a loss internally to some degree.
Next: Orlando Magic trade Elfrid Payton to Phoenix Suns
The Orlando Magic return to action Saturday to take on the Milwaukee Bucks at the Amway Center.