Orlando Magic Grades: Orlando Magic 102, Memphis Grizzlies 86

The Orlando Magic played about as perfect as they could in preseason as they dispatched the Memphis Grizzlies easily at home.

The game was already decided. The Orlando Magic had won and were waltzing to an easy victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. But coach Steve Clifford wanted more.

As the Magic came to a late timeout in the fourth quarter, Clifford was driving his team hard. Especially young guard Isaiah Briscoe. This is not the time to let go of the rope or let concentration slip. Even in a nearly 30-point game of a meaningless preseason game.

This is the time to focus in on those little details and make sure the team is getting them right. There is a standard the team must play to.

The momentary lapse was not going to distract from what looked like the Magic’s best overall game of the preseason.

One where the team looked connected and together defensively. Where the team limited the Grizzlies to one offensive rebound and worse than 40-percent shooting for much of the game. Where the Magic had 26 assists on 36 field goal makes and went to the line for 40 free throw attempts.

About the only thing the Magic might complain about from their key players in a 102-86 win over the Grizzlies at Amway Center on Wednesday was the missed free throws — exactly half of those 40 attempts. And perhaps the sometimes foul-heavy play.

But the Magic locked in defensively and shut down the Grizzlies in almost every facet. They had control of the game and raced ahead in the second quarter and maintained and grew the lead throughout the second half.

Orlando was not quite treating this game like a “dress rehearsal” as the penultimate preseason game often turns into. But the starters got plenty of minutes and just went about their work.

If there was a preseason game that showed exactly what the Magic want to be once the regular season begins in one week, this was it.

The Orlando Magic wrap up their preseason Friday against the San Antonio Spurs at the Amway Center.