The backcourt duo of Markelle Fultz and Cole Anthony ensured there was plenty to be positive about for the Orlando Magic but the Atlanta Hawks sent out a warning to their Eastern Conference rivals.
Orlando Magic coach Steve Clifford has been pretty optimistic about his team’s outlook throughout training camp. The usually gruff and demanding coach has praised players for their energy and approach.
Optimism was practically overflowing from Magic camp. Even after Friday’s preseason win and Saturday’s practice, Clifford said his team did more good than bad. he seemed fairly pleased with his team’s progress.
It did not take long for that attitude to change.
Following a 116-107 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday in the team’s second preseason game, Clifford expressed his disappointment. He said the team did not play with the intensity or attention to detail they needed. It was the first public sign of trouble — although a pretty expected one with Clifford who usually expresses displeasure early in camp as something of a wake-up call.
But even Clifford could not hide his satisfaction with a few players. More particularly, his two young point guards who seemed ready to lead the team.
Markelle Fultz scored 21 points off 9-for-19 shooting and made both of his 3-point attempts, while also pushing his team forward on offense, picking up four assists. Meanwhile, Cole Anthony scored 16 points off 6-for-10 shooting which included many difficult shots off the dribble and two made threes.
Clifford did not start the two together but opted for the backcourt pairing for much of the game, as they played with most of the starting lineup as the Magic played their regulars to the final minute as they tried to pick up the win. It gave the team plenty of pace and creativity at the guard positions and suggested that the two are capable of playing together when the regular season starts.
This coming season is a big one for Fultz, who will be keen to prove that he is capable of leading a team. Sunday’s performance, albeit only a preseason game, signals there is much more to come from the former number one pick.
He played with plenty of aggression, regularly driving into the paint to finish layups of high difficulty and with plenty of contact. His transition bucket in a busy second quarter for an and-one play was a particular highlight and drew similarities to the sort of buckets we saw him score in college.
But just as pleasing was his shooting.
Markelle Fultz’s jump shot, although still slightly unorthodox, looks much more comfortable and he drained his first three with ease. The second needed a nice bounce off the rim, but these early signs are very positive for the Orlando Magic.
Cole Anthony, too, was a joy to watch. He opened up the second quarter with a fine three and did the same in the fourth from deep. His entire offensive performance in the fourth quarter was superb, making several difficult shots including a fine step-back for two.
Shooting is the main area the Magic needed to improve on. If Anthony can carry this sort of form into the regular season it will be a huge boost to the team. Like Fultz, he showed his pace and ball-handling ability, driving the team forward on offense and playing with lots of confidence.
His slight frame means he is often outmuscled on screens and can lose his man, but overall his defensive play did not hurt the team in a big way.
Results are not all that important in preseason, but this was a highly contested game with Orlando desperately pushing for the win in the fourth quarter. There was plenty to be positive about yet also some concerns that Clifford will be keen to address before the season starts.
Atlanta put together a stunning 19-0 run in the third quarter to jump ahead by 17. Orlando was simply sleeping on defense, not closing down shooters on the perimeter which presented the opposition with several open shots on the wings and in the corners.
The Magic battled hard and got it back close on several occasions. But ultimately it was Atlanta’s strong shooting display that won this game.
It was only preseason so some poor defensive play is to be expected. Nonetheless, it was a stark reminder Atlanta will be a strong contender for the playoffs this coming season primarily because of something the Magic are still lacking — shooting when it really matters.
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Michael Carter-Williams has his qualities, but shooting is certainly not one of them. The guard found it very difficult to knock down shots in the first game with Atlanta and the second game was no different. Carter-Williams went 2 for 7 from the field and hindered his side offensively.
It was not just the fact he missed the shots, it is how he missed them. Some of his attempts were nowhere near going in the basket, leaving question marks as to why he is being allowed to take them. The worrying thing for the team is that he shot five three-pointers tonight, only making one. Most of the shots he takes are not bad decisions but his shooting form looks really off.
Carter-Williams redeemed himself some in the second half. His shot was still wayward. But he was able to get after things defensively and help key the Magic in a small comeback to make the game more competitive.