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Orlando Magic Grades: Washington Wizards 117, Orlando Magic 109

By Jean Racine

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 12: John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards dribbles against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Capital One Arena on November 12, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 12: John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards dribbles against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Capital One Arena on November 12, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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The Orlando Magic could not keep up with the hard-driving Washington Wizards, conceding a second-half lead to the foul line in the fourth quarter.

38. 117. 142. Final. 109

The Orlando Magic were riding high up 10 points midway through the third quarter. How things fell apart so quickly is still a bit unclear to determine.

Coach Steve Clifford said the team’s effort and intensity was fine. Even after giving up a 12-0 run toward the end of the third quarter to concede the lead, they were tied entering the fourth quarter. Just as they were tied at the end of every quarter before that.

The Magic were draining threes and moving the ball.

But so too were the Washington Wizards. And they put the pressure on the Magic’s defense, eventually snapping it in a 117-109 Wizards win over the Magic at Capital One Arena on Monday.

Washington got into the bonus a mere five minutes into the fourth quarter. The Wizards took 18 free throw attempts in the quarter, slowly taking and expanding their lead.

The game slipped away from Orlando early in the fourth. The Wizards gained the lead as the Magic’s second unit struggled. Orlando lost their offensive flow after some bad offensive sequences and unnecessary fouls.

Jeff Green caught fire, making six of seven field goals including four 3-pointers on his way to 18 points. His one-handed alley-oop jam caught a flat-footed Magic defense watching and put an exclamation point on a game the Wizards had fought back to win.

Orlando largely played a good game. The Magic shot 48 percent from the field and 50 percent from three. The team came out poised and the ball movement was superb in the first half.

But the team struggled to do all that in the fourth quarter. The team 12 total turnovers, but five in the fourth quarter. And giving up 18 free throw attempts (with 13 makes) put the Magic in a hole they could not overcome. As it has throughout the season, when the Magic’s offense struggled there were no easy answers.

And Orlando let one slip away with poor execution late in the game.

<a href=. G/F. Orlando Magic. TERRENCE ROSS. A

AARON GORDON. B+. <a href=. F. Orlando Magic

EVAN FOURNIER. B+. <a href=. G/F. Orlando Magic

B+. <a href=. PG. Orlando Magic. D.J. AUGUSTIN

4-9. 11th East. WASHINGTON WIZARDS. A-. eThe Washington Wizards shot 51 percent from the field, despite shooting just 39 percent from three and kept the pressure on the Orlando Magic throughout. The Magic seemingly outplayed them throughout the game, but the Wizards simply had the better talent in John Wall and <a rel=

Next. Orlando Magic still seeking consistency one year later. dark

The Orlando Magic are next in action against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday at the Amway Center. Newly acquired guard Jimmy Butler is expected to debut for Philadelphia. Orlando will also debut the team’s new City Edition uniforms.