Orlando Magic Grades: Chicago Bulls 110, Orlando Magic 109
The Orlando Magic put themselves in a position to win throughout the night. But several key self-inflicted mistakes cost them against the Chicago Bulls.
110. 24. 109. 38. Final
The Orlando Magic knew they were not perfect. They knew they had left precious points on the board with missed free throws — including two surprising misses from D.J. Augustin in a tie game with 30 seconds remaining. They knew this was not how things were supposed to go.
The All-Star Break took off some of the shine on the team’s performance. With 12 first-half turnovers, it was clear the Magic were not playing with the same level of precision.
The rhythm of their open shots early in the game and throughout was a hair off. Worse still, the defense exposed plenty of holes for far too long against a team brimming with offensive confidence.
Still, there was that chance to win. None of it mattered if they could get a win.
Evan Fournier let out one of those cathartic screams after he came off a screen wide open with about six seconds left and drained a go-ahead 3-pointer. The team had locked down defensively in the final minute, overcoming those earlier free throw misses.
They needed one more stop.
They essentially got it as Otto Porter tried flipping the ball back to Lauri Markkanen behind the 3-point line. Aaron Gordon had done a good job overplaying him and forcing him to move left as he caught the ball. The Magic just had to watch Markkanen shoot — hoping he would miss — and the win would be theirs.
But Aaron Gordon overplayed again. He jumped from the side trying to contest the shot again. He landed into Markkanen and the official on the baseline rightly called the foul. Markkanen would get three foul shots to give the Bulls the win.
He missed the first but made the next two. Evan Fournier’s desperation heave came well after the buzzer as he took too long to set up his shot. The Chicago Bulls ended the Orlando Magic’s win streak at five with a shocking 110-109 victory at the Amway Center on Friday.
Orlando could point to themselves for the loss. It was the moments down the stretch where clear mistakes were made — like Gordon’s foul and the missed free throws. The Magic could point to their poor free throw shooting — an uncharacteristic 13 for 24 from the foul line. They could point to the 38 points they conceded in the third quarter that forced a strong defensive effort throughout the fourth quarter.
Once again, the Magic could see how small the margin for error was. This was a game they let get away, opening the door for the Bulls to steal one in this critical Playoff race. And the Magic know this.
F. Orlando Magic. AARON GORDON. C+. Aaron Gordon will deservedly take heat for the play at the end of the game. He was beat after doing his job running Lauri Markkanen off the 3-point line. His decision to jump and challenge came from a good place. Markkanen was playing well and very well could have made that difficult shot.<p>This attempt to do just a little bit more characterized his entire night. Offensively, it felt like he was trying hard to drive in and get things going, especially early as the Magic struggled to get their legs under them. This is how Gordon ended up with four turnovers. That willingness to be overzealous in helping his teammates or playing his role is both his greatest strength and his greatest weakness.</p><p>Throughout much of the game, it was his greatest strength. He recorded three nice recovery blocks on Markkanen, including two in transition. In the second half, Gordon got his game going and helped the Magic erase a double-digit deficit. His 17 points on 7-for-14 shooting was remarkable considering how slow he started. But that last play looms large over the game. It was a decisive play.</p>
NIKOLA VUCEVIC. B+. <a href=. C. Orlando Magic
EVAN FOURNIER. B. Evan Fournier has started to find his groove and find his rhythm lately. Regardless of the result in this game, the fact Fournier is starting to play with a lot more confidence and shoot the ball more effectively and efficiently is a good sign for the Magic overall.<p>He was the Magic’s top offensive option throughout the night. He rarely forced shots or took hurried or off-balance jumpers, something he has a penchant for doing when he is at his worst. That part of his game is diminishing and Fournier is still able to hit big shots. He did that in this game.</p><p>Fournier finished with 22 points and five assists. He still needed to get his feet under him, making just 3 of his 10 3-pointers. But he started to find his rhythm. It was all good signs for Fournier in general.</p>. G/F. Orlando Magic
B. Like Aaron Gordon, <a href=. PG. Orlando Magic. D.J. AUGUSTIN
A+. The trade to acquire Otto Porter certainly revitalized the Chicago Bulls’ offense. In the previous three meetings with the Orlando Magic, the Chicago Bulls struggled to top 90 points. That is not this team anymore. They move the ball better and they have shot makers.<p><a rel=. 15-44. 13th East. CHICAGO BULLS
The Orlando Magic next start a two-game road trip Sunday against the Toronto Raptors. They are 1.5 games behind the Detroit Pistons for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference.
Next. Evan Fournier returns to his mean to pace Orlando Magic. dark
With any combination of 10 Orlando Magic wins or 10 Cleveland Cavaliers losses, the Magic will be eliminated from receiving the best odds at winning the NBA Draft Lottery.