Orlando Magic Grades: Dallas Mavericks 101, Orlando Magic 76
The Orlando Magic fell flat for the second straight game, getting outworked and outplayed by the Dallas Mavericks on the road.
Final. 76. 38. 101. 79
It was one of the Orlando Magic’s early possessions that set the tone for the team in a bad way.
It was not Aaron Gordon getting caught on a DeAndre Jordan screen allowing Luka Doncic free reign into the lane — whether the Dallas Mavericks made or missed the shot. It was a simple entry pass and simple recognition.
It was D.J. Augustin coming around a screen and meeting a double team as the Mavericks tried to blitz and failing to see Nikola Vucevic on the block. Or realizing he saw him too late.
And even when D.J. Augustin got it to Nikola Vucevic on the block with a smaller man on him, he turned and. . . traveled. Later he would fumble the ball away into a turnover.
The Magic know they have a narrow path to win. They cannot afford a lackluster effort or inefficiency. They certainly cannot give into frustration and stay dialed in at every phase of the game. Getting outworked is a big no-no. And settling for shots without moving the ball or getting into the paint is a sure way to lose.
For the second straight game, the Magic were sloppy and lethargic. Outworked and outhustled. They were frustrated and flustered.
Orlando never led in a 101-76 loss to Dallas at the American Airlines Center on Monday. Even the Magic’s key players could not point to anything positive they did as the Magic were beaten in every phase. Orlando played perhaps its worst game of the entire season to start a three-game road trip that will next head to Mexico City for a pair of “home” games.
And now all of a sudden, the Magic seem to be facing an identity crisis. The team’s resiliency has been tested and the team is struggling to get over the hump. Maybe this is an offensive slump similar to the team’s difficulties to start the season.
Either way, Orlando has to right the ship quickly. And efforts like Monday where the Magic shot 36.0 percent and 8 for 28 from beyond the arc. Not to mention getting just five free throw attempts.
Coach Steve Clifford said it best after the game, it would be one thing if the Magic played well and still lost. He would feel encouraged then. But that is not the case here at all. The team simply has to be better.
D. D.J. Augustin has been fantastic this season. There is no other way to describe him. Statistically, he has been the Orlando Magic’s second most important player. The Magic are a better team with him on the floor and it is not even close. He manages the game very well, hits open shots and takes care of the ball.<p>All three of those things were not in play in Monday’s game. And that is a big reason the Magic struggled offensively and struggled overall. Orlando simply is not going to win games when Augustin has more turnovers (three) than assists (two). In addition to missing 3-pointers (all three of them) and making just three of eight shots.</p><p>Orlando probably knew it was in trouble when DeAndre Jordan threw D.J. Augustin’s first shot back at him. But it was more than that for Orlando. Augustin was trying to force contact and lean into players. He was hardly on balance and hardly attacking aggressively. That is a poor recipe for Orlando.</p>. PG. Orlando Magic. D.J. AUGUSTIN
NIKOLA VUCEVIC. C-. Like D.J. Augustin, the Orlando Magic absolutely need Nikola Vucevic playing at a high level. It is not just about his scoring (he had eight points) or his rebounding (16 rebounds). It is about his physicality and intensity. The old trope about Vucevic is still true. Vucevic at 80 percent is probably not good enough (maybe it is this year). He needs a 100-percent, full effort.<p>That is not what the Magic got Monday night. This was undoubtedly the worst game of the season for Vucevic. it does not erase his All-Star credentials, but it reminds just how vital he can be and how poor the team can be when he is not playing well.</p><p>Vucevic did his job on the glass throughout the night. But he struggled in pick and rolls, hanging back a bit too much and allowed players like Luka Doncic to wander through the lane. And on offense, he completely lacked any feel. Vucevic shot just 4 for 15, breaking a string of games shooting at least 50 percent. That will not get the job done.</p>. C. Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic. JONATHON SIMMONS. B+. The only player who kept the Orlando Magic afloat throughout the first half, at least, was <a href=. G/F
C. <a href=. C. Orlando Magic. KHEM BIRCH
DALLAS MAVERICKS. B+. The Dallas Mavericks were dominant from start to finish in a lot of ways. They let their defense lead the way and they took it to the Orlando Magic time and time again. They were driving at the team and kicking to 3-point shooters and hitting them in key spots.<p>More importantly, Dallas frustrated Orlando with its defense. The Magic shot 36 percent. All credit should go to Dallas for flustering Orlando’s offense. The Magic made a lot of self-inflicted wounds too. But the Mavericks took advantage of them.</p><p>This was not a clean game for Dallas either. The Mavericks shot 42.7 percent and made just 28.6 percent of their 3-pointers too. This was not a great offensive game for them. That probably makes their dominance in the game all the more impressive. And all the more disappointing for the Magic.</p>. 14-11. 8th West
The Orlando Magic head next to Mexico City to play the Chicago Bulls on Thursday.