Make open shots, limit turnovers
Once again, the simplest key is the simplest thing for the Orlando Magic. They have to make shots.
Most of their troubles in this series have come on the offensive end. It is the very simple thing coach Steve Clifford has said from the very beginning of the series. The Magic cannot turn the ball over and they have to make the open shots they do get. The margin for error is too small to add these missteps to the equation.
Orlando is shooting a poor 45.3 percent effective field goal percentage, the second-worst in the playoffs. The team just cannot hit shots.
The Magic have had to take a lot more 3-pointers. Some of them are from desperation. But many of them are open shots.
According to NBA.com’s tracking statistics, 110 of the team’s 140 3-point field goal attempts in the playoffs have come with the closest defender more than four feet away. Orlando is actually shooting 31 for 75 (41.3 percent) on 3-point attempts where the closest defender is more than six feet away.
Orlando can get a decent amount of open shots. It seems.
But the turnover problems prevent a lot of this. Orlando is having to force offense because of Toronto’s ability to switch and blitz screens. The Magic have been unable to get them to back off.
Shooting might be the only way to do it. It really is the only way to do it. So it will take making shots, especially at the beginning of the game to ease off the pressure. Orlando has to keep the ball moving and get pinpoint passes.
Players have admitted that Toronto’s pressure defense has gotten them rushing and hurrying their shots. The thought of the Raptors’ defense is enough to sort of rattle them. At least temporarily at times.
Orlando has had some spurts of offensive brilliance in this series, but ever since the second half of Game 1, they do not last nearly long enough.
The key on offense is really a simple one. The Magic have to move the ball before the trap can get set. Make those passes on target where players can catch them in rhythm and then make the shot.
Obviously, that is a lot easier said than done at this point. The Raptors will make that task hard.
But limiting turnovers is the best place for them to start. That will allow them to get their defense set and lower their margin for error. Orlando already won a game shooting 40 percent from the floor.
And limiting turnovers should lead to better passing and better shot opportunities. From there it is just about making them.