NBA Playoffs: 3 Keys for the Orlando Magic to win Game 4 over the Toronto Raptors

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Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic, Marc Gasol, Toronto Raptors

TORONTO, CANADA – APRIL 16: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic handles the ball against the Toronto Raptors during Game Two of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 16, 2019 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Better Interior Decisions

After Game 3, coach Steve Clifford noted the team worked a lot on their decisionmaking when they were able to get penetration and into the lane. Driving into the paint and getting those coveted paint touches is a huge part of this series.

But like turnovers, misses inside the paint or blocked shots or turnovers off drives lead to fast breaks. To get drives typically means someone has left the perimeter leaving the team exposed on the fast break if there is a miss.

To be sure, the Magic have to get into the paint, but it is still the decisions the team makes and their ability to finish that matters.

That is tough against this Raptors team. Like on the perimeter, their length makes it tough to finish at the rim. Everyone from Nikola Vucevic to Evan Fournier to Michael Carter-Williams has had their struggles even when they get into the paint.

According to NBA.com, the Magic are shooting only 46.3 percent on shots within 10 feet of the basket. During the regular season, Orlando was at 56.9 percent. The overall field goal attempts are down to 31.7 per game from 36.3 per game.

In addition, The Magic averaged 44.0 points in the paint during the regular season. They are down to 32.7 in the playoffs.

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Observationally, Orlando is certainly struggling to get into the lane and get right at the basket where there is a supposedly an easier time scoring. That has been part of the struggle of this series. Orlando has simply had a difficult time breaking this team down off the dribble.

According to NBA.com’s tracking statistics from Second Spectrum, the Magic have 43.0 drives per game (defined as any time a player goes from 20 feet from the basket to at least 10 feet to the basket). In those situations, they are shooting 39.2 percent from the floor with a 6.2 percent turnover rate.

During the regular season, Orlando had 41.5 drives per game, shooting 45.0 percent from the floor with a 6.8 percent turnover rate. Things are not that much different outside of the poor shooting percentage. Orlando is not a high drive team at any rate.

These numbers do not account for points off kick outs as much. And certainly, more paint drives could create more open 3-point opportunities.

But the Magic have struggled to finish in and around the rim. More than they did during the regular season at least.

On the precious few times Orlando can get in the paint, the team has to do a better job finishing in and around the basket, even against the length Toronto presents.