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Orlando Magic Grades: Orlando Magic 101, Atlanta Hawks 91

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 17: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Atlanta Hawks on March 17, 2019 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 17: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Atlanta Hawks on March 17, 2019 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Orlando Magic took advantage of some poor defense and golden opportunities to eclipse the Atlanta Hawks and keep pace in the Eastern Conference.

38. Final. 91. 125. 101

Some nights, you just have it. Or perhaps some nights luck seems to favor you. Or maybe it is both. Or all of the above.

Or perhaps it is hard work that creates an opportunity for a team to take advantage of. In a grimy game against a team that can put up points in a hurry, it takes some grit and determination to get there. And a team that is willing to go the extra mile can make a big difference.

Even if it comes out of mistakes.

Take the third quarter play where D.J. Augustin through a poor lob to Evan Fournier. It started tracking out of bounds and Evan Fournier had to save it from going out of bounds. He did and directly to Aaron Gordon who drained a 3-pointer.

Or take the hustle play late in the game. With the Orlando Magic holding off one final run from the Atlanta Hawks, Aaron Gordon made a poor pass into traffic for a turnover. This might have been when the game turned. But Terrence Ross tracked down the player and stole it back to help the Magic reset the offense.

Or it might have been Wesley Iwundu going up for a putback jam after an Aaron Gordon miss, catching the Hawks defense sleeping and icing the game away.

There were countless other plays like that as Orlando seemed to coast to a 101-91 win over Atlanta at the Amway Center on Sunday. The Magic used their defense to muck up the Hawks offense, allowing them only a few brief spurts of offense that were quickly snuffed out.

The Magic were on the attack the entire night, taking advantage of the Hawks’ poor defense and penchant for fouling. Orlando took 33 free throw attempts, one shy of the team’s season high. That helped pace an offense that struggled to make open shots throughout the game and find much of a shooting rhythm, hitting on just 38.8 percent. That is the lowest field goal percentage in a Magic win this season.

The team staked a lead thanks to Nikola Vucevic’s game-opening 13 points helped Orlando start out front. The Magic never really looked back, building a 10-point lead at halftime and keeping the Hawks well at bay.

The Magic had some shaky moments, but they worked through them getting the shots at the end they needed to put the game on ice.

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

Orlando Magic. AARON GORDON. A-. Aaron Gordon provided a lot more heat to the Orlando Magic’s game once Nikola Vucevic’s fire burned out in the first quarter. Gordon was really strong offensively, working to get his shots in rhythm and working to cut to the basket and get to the foul line. His aggressive drives helped keep <a rel=. F

B+. <a href=. PG. Orlando Magic. MICHAEL CARTER-WILLIAMS

B+. <a href=. SG. Orlando Magic. WESLEY IWUNDU

C. The Atlanta Hawks are a team built on offense. They are trying to outscore teams and use their pace to sucker teams into a shootout. There they think they can win. And there were times the Magic got sucked into that play. Atlanta would hit a few 3-pointers and get back into the game. Orlando never put the game away.<p>But the Hawks also could not string enough shots together. Let alone any stops. Orlando shot poorly, but Atlanta never took advantage thanks to the fouling and then thanks to the team’s own 41.8 percent shooting and 8-for-35 shooting from beyond the arc. The Hawks missed a lot of 3-point shots throughout the game.</p><p><a rel=. 24-47. 12th East. ATLANTA HAWKS

The Orlando Magic next play Wednesday against the New Orleans Pelicans as their homestand continues. The Orlando Magic now trail the Miami Heat by one game for the final spot in the Playoffs.

dark. Next. Orlando Magic hope Michael Carter-Williams can impact defense

The Magic have been eliminated from receiving the fourth-best odds to win the NBA Draft Lottery. With three more wins or three more Hawks losses, the Magic will be eliminated from receiving the fifth-best odds to win the NBA Draft Lottery.