D.J. Augustin is the saving grace for the Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic still need help at point guard, but it is not for lack of D.J. Augustin trying. He has been a consistent and solid contributor to the team

D.J. Augustin never seems to wear his emotions on his face. Early in the game, late in the game, it is the same. His steady, consistent play is never super flashy.

It is this consistency that the team values more than anything. He is the steady hand that can get the team through turbulent times.

That was never moreso than at the end of Wednesday’s loss to the Phoenix Suns. Trailing by three points, D.J. Augustin got the ball in the corner and did his patented pump fake, adjusting to take the shot and drawing the foul. He went to the foul line for three shots and calmly drained all of them. The expert free throw shooter rose to the pressure.

"“Just being confident and not doubting yourself,” Augustin said. “If you have any thought of doubt or any thoughts period of missing the shot at the free throw line, you’re going to miss. I don’t care how good of a shooter you are or how good of a free throw shooter you are. My thought process was to go up there and knock all three of them down and that’s what I did.”"

That has been Augustin’s m.o. throughout this season. Even as there is plenty of noise the Orlando Magic are looking to upgrade at point guard, he has been unflappable at every turn. And quite clearly one of the team’s most important players.

Augustin scored a season-high 27 points in that game, making 8 of his 18 shots. He added six assists for good measure, darting into and out of the lane as he craftily made layups around bigger players and hit shots from the outside.

Terrence Ross said D.J. Augustin was the team’s spark throughout the game.

More advanced numbers back that up too. He had 13 drives to the basket in Wednesday’s game, according to NBA.com’s Second Spectrum stats. Coach Steve Clifford claimed he had 17 based on the Magic’s internal tracking metrics. According to those NBA.com numbers, Augustin tallied nine points off those drives and dished out two assists.

His ability to dart around the paint was vital to the team staying in and having a chance to win Wednesday.

"“He was good the whole game,” Clifford said. “He was very much on the attack. He created a lot of shots for his teammates. He was down along the baseline a lot, I feel like those are his best games. I thought he played really well. He’s so skilled and has a high IQ. He’s a terrific player.”"

Augustin is averaging 10.8 points per game and 4.8 assists per game. He is shooting a 55.4 percent effective field goal percentage and 42.5 percent from beyond the arc. More importantly, the Magic have a +1.5 net rating with Augustin on the floor, second-best on the team.

Orlando’s 107.3 offensive rating with Augustin on the floor is also the second-best on the team and the team has been surprisingly solid defensively too, giving up 105.8 points per 100 possessions. That is the best mark among rotation players.

It is safe to say the Magic have gotten a lot of value out of Augustin at this point in the season.

"“He was the spark last night,” Terrence Ross said. “He got everybody going. He provided a lot of offensive power as well as defense. He was a big key last night.”"

That is why Clifford has done more to move Augustin into lineups that are struggling. He has been a steadying force throughout the season and a key player who knows when to up his personal aggression and when to get others involved.

D.J. Augustin has started playing in bench lineups alongside Aaron Gordon in an attempt to get the team going. Those lineups have met some mixed results so far. But Augustin figures to be an important part of Clifford trying to find the right combination to make those units work better.

With the impact Augustin has made on the starting lineups and the general positive impact he has made, he figures to be a part of that.

Augustin said his main goal with the second unit is to try to organize the team and keep everybody in the right spot and in the right mindset. He said he will sometimes increase his aggression to fit what the lineup needs.

Augustin has always been that rock for this team this year. Whatever they needed, he provided. Often simply taking what the defense gives him.

"“It’s important knowing when to be aggressive like that and when to get other guys involved,” Augustin said. “Playing off the flow of the game, you can’t really determine what you do before you get out there. You have to let the game come to you.”"

There is still that clear desire to upgrade the point guard position. The trade rumors that have popped up all seem to suggest the team is fishing for some added point guard depth one way or another.

Augustin has played extremely well for the team and provided a nice balance, but the veteran guard certainly lacks something defensively. Augustin’s best role is likely still off the bench.

Orlando is again asking too much of a player. Even if he is playing extremely well within that role. Far outperforming expectations.

But that is the thing about Augustin. He is going to just keep playing with that even keel. And the Magic will need him.

"“That’s how I always play,” Augustin said. “I never try to go out there trying to score. I never try to go out there and do anything above average or anything. I just try to be solid and do whatever it takes to help my team win.”"

Augustin may not always be the guy who stands out for the team. But in the big moments, he provides the calm the team absolutely needs.

There is no doubt when he steps to the line in those big moments, he will deliver for the team.