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Orlando Magic Grades: Orlando Magic 123, Memphis Grizzlies 119

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 22: Evan Fournier #10 of the Orlando Magic puts up the shot against the Memphis Grizzlies on MARCH 22, 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 22: Evan Fournier #10 of the Orlando Magic puts up the shot against the Memphis Grizzlies on MARCH 22, 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 looked lost in the third quarter. Then they did what every Playoff team must — find a way. And they scored a major victory.

211. 123. 38. Final. 119

With four minutes to play in the third quarter, the Orlando Magic looked lost. Their offense could not solve a zone defense that knocked their shooting out of rhythm and left them searching for anything.

They were the team playing for everything and they could not find any answers. And that was the same on defense.

Tyler Dorsey made a living driving into the lane. And on this play, he went out in transition and the Magic struggled to track everyone. He dished the ball to Chandler Parsons in the corner who drained the 3-pointer and gave the Memphis Grizzlies a 17-point lead.

It was a disaster for the Magic. A game where they played completely without energy and physicality and allowed the Grizzlies to dictate everything from the start with no end in sight. Orlando trailed by 14 after three quarters and it felt like their Playoff dreams were over.

By the end of the night, the team seemingly had refreshed its energy. It had stayed alive and had found a way. That will ultimately be all that matters when all is said and done. Orlando found a way.

Terrence Ross began his 3-point barrage in the second quarter to help Orlando erase an early deficit. It continued in the fourth quarter as the Magic chipped away at the lead.

It continued with Nikola Vucevic standing tall to keep Jonas Valanciunas away from the basket and Evan Fournier getting better around screens and limiting penetration to the middle of the lane off pick and rolls.

It was Evan Fournier who would finish the Grizzlies off. He came around his own screen to drive down the lane to tie the game in regulation. Then after a back-and-forth overtime, Fournier closed the deal with a step-back mid-range jumper.

Thanks to two out of three misses at the foul line from Dorsey, the Magic indeed survived with a 123-119 overtime win. Improbably, the Magic rallied to get the win they needed.

The result will be all that matters, even if the Magic know they did not get there the way they wanted. They won and they can count that as something.

G/F. Orlando Magic. EVAN FOURNIER. B. Evan Fournier reclaimed much of his late-game bona fides with his run down the end of the game. The Orlando Magic turned to Fournier at the end of the game and he kept delivering. His layup at the end of the game was a moment of brilliance as he played the screen perfectly and drove in. That confidence was only growing as he scored when the Magic turned to him without having him forcing anything.<p>Fournier finished with 27 points. He added eight rebounds, helping the Orlando Magic out on the glass with the Memphis Grizzlies doing a good job pulling <a href=

G/F. Orlando Magic. TERRENCE ROSS. A. <a href=

B. Nikola Vucevic needed a little while to get going offensively. The Memphis Grizzlies largely used a zone defense to try to neutralize the Orlando Magic. They flooded the strong side and kept several bodies around the basketball. There were few passing lanes and few driving lanes for this team. The Magic had to make mid-range jumpers to loosen the defense — or get stops to prevent the team from getting its defense set.<p>Vucevic was a big part of this plan. Orlando was most successful offensively throughout the game when the team was able to dump the ball inside. Vucevic worked the post masterfully and had good touch in his shots. When he popped out to the 3-point line or mid-range, he struggled to hit. He missed all four of his 3-pointers and was finding it tough to make.</p><p>What was even tougher was his defense. Jonas Valanciunas had a field day on the block with 23 points. He added 24 rebounds as the zone defense put him in position to rebound. Vucevic had little chance to contest him there with the way Orlando set up its zone offense. And with the Magic’s poor perimeter defense, Vucevic was left on an island far too often.</p>. C. Orlando Magic. NIKOLA VUCEVIC

C. The Orlando Magic had to ask where was <a href=. F. Orlando Magic. AARON GORDON

A-. The Memphis Grizzlies have been the walking wounded for the last few weeks. It got worse Friday with the decision to sit <a rel=. 29-43. 13th West. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES

The Orlando Magic finish their five-game homestand Monday against the Philadelphia 76ers. They now trail the Miami Heat for the final spot in the Playoffs by one-half game.

Next. The Orlando Magic have no margin for error anymore. dark

With the win, the Orlando Magic are eliminated from receiving the fifth-best odds to win the NBA Draft Lottery. With four Orlando Magic wins or four Dallas Mavericks losses, the Magic will be eliminated from receiving the sixth-best odds to win the NBA Draft Lottery.