4. Oct. 21 @ Cleveland Cavaliers
Grades . . . The Orlando Magic are something no one expected — a 3-point shooting team
So early in the season, the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers was both a test and a red herring. Games that early are both the measuring stick for teams to see if they can compete with the best teams. But also an opportunity to pick them off before they really get going — or seem to care.
The Magic’s wins over LeBron James during the rebuild have been few and far between. And rare was it when they would absolutely dominate him. Especially with Aaron Gordon and Elfrid Payton out. This game had loss written all over it again. Just being competitive might be a victory.
Instead, even starting rookie Jonathan Isaac in his third game against LeBron James, the Magic took it to the Cavaliers. Their offense worked at its absolute best. When Frank Vogel constantly urged his team to “trust the pass,” this is the game he likely could point to as the fruits of that strategy.
Orlando recorded 28 assists on 40 field goals and his 17 of 35 3-pointers. That was the real difference in the game. The Magic shot the lights out at the beginning of the season and this game was the benefit of that.
Meanwhile, Cleveland made just 38.4 percent of their shots and James had a pedestrian 22 points. He was not going to do enough to bring the Cavaliers all the way back. And the Magic withstood all the punches, even without two very key players.
It was a good sign at the beginning of the season.