Orlando Magic Grades: Orlando Magic 117, San Antonio Spurs 110
The Orlando Magic moved the ball and defended with intensity to build a big lead. That was enough to hold on and defeat the San Antonio Spurs.
29. Final. 117. 38. 110
The Orlando Magic were cruising through much of the first half building a double-digit lead against the San Antonio Spurs behind quick ball movement and scrappy defense. This is the Spurs though and their run was coming.
The first few possessions of the second half proved that much. San Antonio came out firing, cutting the lead down to five. The question remained how the Magic would respond. So far this season, the team has not responded particularly well to these kinds of adversity.
The Magic were not about to let the work and progress they showed in the first half whither away. Not at this point anyway.
The Magic burned off a 14-0 run in the early third quarter, using that ball movement and a tough defense avoiding the foul trouble that kept the Spurs in the game in the second quarter. It was a perfect glimpse of how the Magic want to play.
Orlando built as much as a 26-point lead in the fourth quarter. Yes, San Antonio cut it down to six points with about 2.5 minutes to play. This team still has its flaws and still has some work to do. But just like that moment in the third quarter when the Spurs seemed like they would make their push, the Magic responded.
D.J. Augustin was flying all over the court to keep possession and help tick precious seconds off the clock. Terrence Ross and Evan Fournier made key plays off the dribble and on the perimeter to keep Orlando in front.
And finally, Aaron Gordon hit key shots as he drove into the lane to keep San Antonio at bay in Orlando’s 117-110 win at AT&T Center on Sunday.
Orlando got key contributions all throughout the roster. The team got strong defensive play throughout the game and had superb ball movement to get open shots. Orlando made 50.5 percent of their shots and 37.5 percent from beyond the arc. It was the first time it felt like all year the team got some easy inside-out offense.
Orlando struggled to keep it up as San Antonio made its run in the fourth quarter. But the Magic found enough offense to get the win. And that is what matters.
Something for the Magic to build on.
<a href=. F. Orlando Magic. AARON GORDON. A-
A+. The Orlando Magic have long relied on <a href=. G/F. Orlando Magic. TERRENCE ROSS
Orlando Magic. EVAN FOURNIER. B. <a href=. G/F
B+. <a href=. C. Orlando Magic. MOHAMED BAMBA
The San Antonio Spurs were uncharacteristically sloppy, especially early in the game, allowing the Orlando Magic to stake an early lead. The Spurs committed 11 turnovers. It does not seem like a lot. But the team was a bit out of sync for most of the night.<p>The Spurs struggled to score in the paint and free throws were about the only thing that kept them in the game in the first half. When the Magic stopped fouling in the third quarter, they found offense tough to come by. It looked like Orlando was running San Antonio’s stuff better.</p><p>The Spurs did get themselves going. Surprisingly it was without <a rel=. 6-3. 5th West. SAN ANTONIO SPURS. C
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The Orlando Magic are back in action Monday against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Amway Center.