The two teams certainly did not always seem interested in winning, but the Orlando Magic got the job done, executing to defeat the Dallas Mavericks.
Mario Hezonja was trying to force his will onto the game. He was the veteran on the floor after all as the Orlando Magic tried to close out another tanking opponent with their own second unit. No starter outside Mario Hezonja would see the floor for most of the fourth quarter. They would have a relatively easy night.
Hezonja got to the free throw line, pulled up and hit a jumper. Giving the Magic a three-point lead and a temporary bit of breathing room against the Dallas Mavericks.
Looking to lock that three-point lead down, Hezonja again got the ball on the perimeter. He looked to drive into traffic, just trying to make something happen.
It did as the ball squirted free and left the Magic’s lead in the balance. But Khem Birch was there. He had been there throughout the night to clean up plays and provide general hustle and rim protection. Khem Birch drew the foul sank the two free throws and gave the Magic a five-point lead.
The only thing that could ruin the game was the Magic’s own mistakes. Like the goaltend Birch would commit a possession later. A few free throws and Hezonja blocking an Aaron Harrison 3-pointer later, and the Magic were able to hold on 105-100 at the Amway Center on Wednesday.
Pretty this one was not. Like Tuesday’s win over the New York Knicks, the Orlando Magic kept their young players and reserves in the game to close it out. Aaron Gordon played 26 minutes all in the first three quarters. G-League stalwarts Jamel Artis and Rodney Purvis closed the game out alongside Mario Hezonja.
But that did not matter. The Magic were not perfect. They lost a lead twice thanks to Maxi Kleber runs and seemingly were unable to pull completely away from the undermanned Mavericks. But the Magic found a way. They got big shots throughout.
Their effort and energy were good throughout despite sloppy play at times. The kind of play you would expect from two teams not playing their best players. That was the reality of it. Orlando came out on top with the better effort and the better plays.
Next: The final week for the Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic are back in action Friday night as they take on the Charlotte Hornets.