Orlando Magic’s offense has a pulse as team finds its rhythm

During the stretch of the last three games, the Orlando Magic have averaged 110.7 points per game, including a 118-point game against the Memphis Grizzlies.

To start the year, the Orlando Magic were an abysmal offensive team.

The Magic struggled to reach the 100-point mark to start the season, going seven games before finally hitting the century mark in the game. Through the first eight games, Orlando was last in offensive rating at 96.6 points per 100 possessions and 91.6 points per game.

More specifically, the Magic struggled shooting the ball especially from beyond the 3-point line. That 3-point shooting is still a struggle. Orlando is still searching for ways to manufacture points and keep its offense moving.

This could very well be the struggle that defines what kind of season the team has.

But, with all of that being said, the Magic look ready to make strides offensively.

In the last three games, the Orlando Magic have averaged 110.7 points per game, including a 118-point game against the Memphis Grizzlies and a 112-point game against a top defensive Philadelphia 76ers team.

Although Orlando is not expected to score the ball this much every night, it is a good sign to see the team put points on the board.

During this stretch, the Magic are shooting an improved 33-percent from three compared to 26.6-percent to start the year. This helps the offense by creating space for other players to able to either score or pass to a shooter.

Orlando’s offensive rating is still a poor 100.6 points per 100 possession. But the team no longer has the worst offense in the league and it is making up ground on the rest of the league.

Five of the Magic’s six best offensive games have happened in the last five games. And Orlando’s 111.4 offensive rating in the last three games (small sample size alert, granted) is 10th in the league at that time.

In other words, the team is starting to find its offensive footing and rhythm.

One player that benefited from the increase in shooting is Nikola Vucevic. He has averaged 22.0 points, 15.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game during this three-game stretch. He is started to resemble his all-star form which is important for this team.

When Nikola Vucevic plays at this level it makes the game easier for players such as Aaron Gordon, Evan Fournier and Terrence Ross solely by the gravity he has on the floor. The improved play of these players is the key to the Magic’s offense.

It is also important to note the Magic have started to get to the free-throw line.

A knock on Orlando during the past few years was the team’s inability to get to the free-throw line no matter how many times the team attacked that paint. But that trend seems as if it is going to change.

The Magic are currently 25th in free throw rate (23.6 free throw attempts for every 100 field goal attempts). That is near the bottom of the league still, but the Magic have not ranked better than 27th in any season.

In the last five games, they are ninth in free throw rating, attempting 20.8 free throws per game and converting on 78.6 percent of them. This has kept Orlando in games for a chance to win late and now their offense is giving signs of being able to capitalize on those opportunities.

Overall, the Magic’s offense seems ready to turn the corner at a good time in an open Eastern Conference.

Their ball and player moment is finally paying off and is showing why it is important to trust the system. The team’s shooting was so poor — even on wide-open shots — that it was bound to regress to the mean eventually.

If Orlando sticks to its offense and continues to trust each other, the team should be able to get good shots.

The Magic need to remember they can not get away from their defense. Instead, they must use their offense to take them over the top in these games.

The Magic must prove that they are finally ready to take the next step and continue to play well on the offensive end.