Keeping up the fight
At this point, no one should doubt the Orlando Magic’s willingness to fight and stay in this series. They have fought hard through frustration and struggles. Game 4 was really the first time they have let go of the rope all series. That lead got out of hand late as Kawhi Leonard seemingly broke their will time and time again.
But even in that game, they were fighting hard. Aaron Gordon poured in 25 points and had a 6-for-6 shooting third quarter to keep the lead within striking distance. This came after the team fell behind thanks to foul trouble from Jonathan Isaac and Aaron Gordon.
That is all a good sign. When things get tough in this game it is going to be even easier to give in. Especially the later in the game it gets.
Coach Steve Clifford laid out the challenge succinctly after the game. What happens when the team faces adversity in Game 5? Will the team continue to fight and stick to their principles to cut into the lead or will they simply give in and let the offseason begin?
The evidence from throughout this season is that this team will not let up. They will give plenty of effort and give themselves a chance to win this game. They have done that all season and there is no reason to think they will stop now.
But there is no doubt this series has been tough. Orlando has been short on answers throughout the four games so far. Orlando will have its work cut out for it just to keep this one close. This Raptors team has a killer in Kawhi Leonard and there is little evidence the Magic can break the Raptors’ defense.
All they can do is fight and keep working for a way to figure this thing out. Their backs are against the wall, so they have to find an answer now.
Without a focused and concerted effort, they will not be able to pull this off. Playing a full 48 and making the Raptors work to eliminate them is the least they can do.