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Orlando Magic Grades: Oklahoma City Thunder 132, Orlando Magic 122

By Philip Rossman-Reich

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - FEBRUARY 5: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots the ball against the Orlando Magic on February 5, 2019 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - FEBRUARY 5: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots the ball against the Orlando Magic on February 5, 2019 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Orlando Magic could not keep pace with the speedy Oklahoma City Thunder, failing to overcome a third-quarter swoon that put them in the hole.

38. 132. 149. Final. 122

A week ago in Orlando, coach Steve Clifford lamented and called out his team for their lackadaisical approach throughout the game.

The Orlando Magic were frustrated with the officials and gave up fast-break opportunities to a team that takes advantage of every lapse in concentration. The Magic struggled to move the ball relying on isolation basketball down the stretch, frittering a lead and an overall good effort. And they struggled to defend all night long — at least for long stretches.

Clifford likely will not be as angry about his team’s lapses in this game as he was a week ago at the Amway Center when the Oklahoma City Thunder came calling. The Magic were largely good.

But as everyone knows, “largely good” is not enough for this team with an incredibly small margin for error. A brief stretch in the third quarter was enough to do them in.

Orlando was guilty of all three of those things for an extended stretch in the third quarter, allowing Oklahoma City to race ahead on an 11-0 run to take control of the game. The Magic could never remake that ground.

The Thunder eased past the Magic 132-122, scoring at least 30 points in every quarter. It was the most points Orlando has given up in a game all year. The Magic’s offense could stay in it for so long and simply could not make up ground down the stretch.

Orlando’s offense, free-flowing and smooth through the first half, got bogged down in Oklahoma City’s defense. The Magic turned the ball over 18 times in the game — nine times in each half. The nine in the second half felt much more consequential, killing momentum and preventing the Magic from mounting any kind of comeback.

Frustration only seemed to grow, whether it was the foul discrepancy or missed shots around the basket. The Magic were caught trying to catch up to a team comfortable running at a fast pace and fell into all the traps.

B-. It is easy to forget <a href=. F. Orlando Magic. AARON GORDON

<a href=. C. Orlando Magic. NIKOLA VUCEVIC. C

EVAN FOURNIER. B. The Orlando Magic ask a lot of <a href=. G/F. Orlando Magic

B. <a href=. F. Orlando Magic. JONATHAN ISAAC

B. The Oklahoma City Thunder know how they want to play and are comfortable playing that way. Scores in the 120s are their comfort zone. And if they can force a team like the Orlando Magic to play that style, they know they will eventually win.<p>There was no panic in them when they fell behind by 12 points and saw the Magic post their highest-scoring first half of the season. They knew they could tighten up their defense and score a bunch of points in a hurry. That is what the Thunder did and it was game over from there.</p><p>Oklahoma City got stellar games from the familiar cast of characters — 39 points on 9-for-26 shooting from Paul George and 16 points, 15 rebounds and 16 assists from Russell Westbrook. Then they got another 20 points from <a rel=. 34-19. 3rd West. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

Next. Mohamed Bamba to miss significant time with leg injury. dark

The Orlando Magic next play Thursday at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves. They trail the Miami Heat by 3.5 games for the final spot in the Playoffs. The NBA trade deadline is Thursday at 3 p.m.