Orlando Magic Grades: Orlando Magic 122, Atlanta Hawks 103

The Orlando Magic got their defense in order in the second half and rode strong performances to a victory over the Atlanta Hawks on the road.

The Orlando Magic needed a big defensive spark after the Atlanta Hawks paraded to the basket and caught a flat-footed team throughout the first half. Orlando had to tighten things up if they wanted to get a much-needed win and snap a three-game losing streak.

It would take some big plays to get the team over the hump down the stretch and repel that last run.

Orlando would, of course, turn to its potential All-Star Nikola Vucevic to do that. Just as the team has all year.

Nikola Vucevic provided a nice defensive spark, blocking Alex Len at the rim and started a fast break. It was the kind of energetic defensive play that Vucevic has become more known for this year that was missing from his game in previous years. And that play got the ball to D.J. Augustin to hit a 3-pointer.

That gave the Magic an 11-point lead with five minutes to play. There would be no let down in this one for Orlando.

The Magic’s defense held firm to contain the Hawks in the fourth quarter and throughout the second half. Atlanta could not get traction or slow down a suddenly surging Orlando offense.

The Magic ran away from the Hawks 122-103 in a Martin Luther King Day matinee at State Farm Arena on Monday. The win was a big one to snap the team’s three-game losing streak and felt like was a must-win for the team’s fading Playoff hopes.

Orlando struggled to find that must-win mentality early on.

The Hawks scored 31 points in the first quarter and seemed able to get into the paint at will. Atlanta finished with 48 points in the paint. The Hawks had the game playing at their pace up and down. The Magic simply were not physical or dialed in enough.

That slowly changed. Orlando took the lead in the second quarter and then took control in the third quarter on their defense.

Atlanta scored only 46 points in the second half, giving up 62 points to Orlando. The Hawks shot 45.3 percent for the game and just 9 of 30 from beyond the arc.

When the Magic got the ball moving, they had no answer and the Magic were able to catch the Hawks defense before they could get set. Orlando had pressure on Atlanta’s defense all night with Evan Fournier attacking the paint and the bench players providing a nice boost.

This was a professional win for the team. They took advantage of a weaker opponent on the schedule and won fairly comfortably. Taking care of business is a skill the Magic often take for granted. Not in this game and they at least righted the ship for one night.

The Orlando Magic next travel to Brooklyn for a rematch with the Brooklyn Nets. They are now 2.5 games out of the final Playoff spot.