The Orlando Magic got their offense going and tore apart the Atlanta Hawks and held on for a big win on the road over their division rival.
This time the Orlando Magic did not have to say anything to each other. This time the Magic knew what needed to be done and knew the intensity they needed to reach.
Following Monday’s come-from-behind win over the Brooklyn Nets, the Magic seemingly had to create their own energy and find their own way. The way they started the game certainly was not enough. And Orlando had to find its desperation.
They needed Nikola Vucevic to speak up and demand some action, backing it up after a timeout when they found themselves down 19.
This time, there was none of that. This time the Magic were going to withstand the storm from Trae Young and take care of their own business.
Young did all he could to keep the Atlanta Hawks in the game. But in the end, the Magic were too determined to take care of their business.
Aaron Gordon was going to meet players at the rim to block shots. Nikola Vucevic was going to dive out of bounds to save the ball. And Evan Fournier was going to zoom through the lane to finish.
The Hawks were not going to see any shot the Magic were not going to contest. No rebound they were not going to make sure they got. The Magic were going to be the aggressor who took the game over and made sure they won.
Atlanta made its push but Orlando consistently held the team at bay in a 130-120 win at State Farm Arena on Wednesday.
The Magic were ready to push the pace and go right back at the Hawks at every turn. They found energy from the inspired play of Mohamed Bamba in the first half and Terrence Ross, Aaron Gordon and Evan Fournier down the stretch.
Orlando struggled out of the gates but found its rhythm, picking the Atlanta defense apart with great ball movement. The team created a rhythm from that point forward. And it was really just about keeping the team at bay the rest of the way. The Hawks did not have enough stops to slow the Magic down.
Orlando needed no further motivation. The team got locked in and played at a high level to finish off this division rival.
The Orlando Magic are now 26-32, one-half game behind the Brooklyn Nets for seventh and 4.5 games ahead of the Washington Wizards for eighth. The Magic are back in action Friday at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves.