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.
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.
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.