Orlando Magic Grades: More late-game struggles doom Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic have been in this situation before plenty of times in the last week. They have spent their time going over and practicing how to be ready when the game is on the line and for the final moments when the pressure gets ramped up.

Right now, it is among the biggest things keeping the Magic from winning games. Their youthful inexperience goes through the wringer as they compete in more and more games.

The result though remains the same at the moment. Another loss. This time their ninth straight and their third in the last four games by five points or fewer. They had a fourth-quarter lead in all four of those games this last week.

Orlando is trying to scratch out a win any way they can.

The Orlando Magic are still trying to find their way to win as the Washington Wizards outlasted them in the fourth quarter for a ninth straight loss.

With the Washington Wizards leaving the door open with missed free throws late, the Magic had seven seconds to get down the court and set up a shot. Coach Jamahl Mosley said afterward he was trying to get the ball back to Terrence Ross to set up for the tying or winning shot.

But Franz Wagner was able to turn the corner and get downhill toward the basket. At the last second as Spencer Dinwiddie rode with him through the lane, he kicked out to Gary Harris in the corner.

Gary Harris’ 3-pointer was blocked by Bradley Beal and Chuma Okeke’s putback at the buzzer was no good. The Washington Wizards escaped with a 102-100 win, outlasting a tired and struggling Magic team.

Outside of Ross’ scoring binge in the second and third quarters, Orlando relied heavily on its defense to carry it through the game. Unlike Saturday’s loss to the Detroit Pistons, the Orlando Magic were able to take the lead and hold onto it for much of the game.

After a sluggish start, the Magic had control even with a poor shooting percentage.

The Wizards seemed to erase that control quickly in the fourth quarter behind a series of shots from Kyle Kuzma and Bradley Beal. They kept the pressure on throughout the entire quarter as the Magic suddenly struggled to get shots to go in.

Orlando was unable to get its starters going and its shots to go down. Cole Anthony had another poor fourth quarter and the Magic were left chasing, unable to get good shots or into their flow offensively.

However it came about, it meant another loss for a young Magic team that feels close to breaking through. But still feels so far away from that breakthrough.

Player Grades

Terrence Ross – A+

Terrence Ross did his job exactly how the Orlando Magic want him to do it. And he made some history in the process.

Ross scored 32 points on 13-for-20 shooting. He was flying all over the court and shooting confidently, stepping into shots and curling to open space to score at a whim. Ross at one point in the third quarter scored 20 consecutive points for the Magic, tying the franchise record with Tracy McGrady in March 2004. Ross was on that kind of a roll all game long.

The Magic were right to try to get him the ball at every turn. He was taking and making shots and living up to his Human Torch nickname. It is these kinds of games that helped propel the Magic to the 2019 Playoffs and made them a feared fourth-quarter team. He just needed the help as the Wizards focused on denying him the ball.

Cole Anthony – C

Cole Anthony struggled again with his shot and looked more like the rookie version of him, searching for shots rather than playing within the flow of the offense. The ball stuck with Anthony and the Magic offense flailed around. Anthony lost the rhythm that has made him so effective earlier in the season.

Anthony scored 12 points to go with six rebounds. He made only 4 of his 17 shots for the game. The Magic will find it hard to win missing all the players they are when Anthony shoots that poorly. It is mildly encouraging the Magic had chances to win both Saturday and Sunday with Anthony struggling to get shots to go down.

Certainly, Anthony playing on two sprained ankles is hurting him. So too is playing without Wendell Carter and the safety valve he provides. But Anthony has to continue working to keep the ball moving. If his drive is not there, he needs to pass and cycle through the offense more consistently.

Mo Bamba – C-

Mo Bamba is getting a very big opportunity to anchor the team with Wendell Carter out of the lineup. And Bamba has largely played better than he has at any point in his career. But everyone knows there is a decision coming on the big man — even before his free agency this offseason.

Mo Bamba has not impressed a ton this weekend with Wendell Carter out of the lineup. Even less so in Sunday’s game than in Saturday’s game.

Bamba scored 10 points on 3-for-11 shooting. He grabbed nine rebounds and had some decent moments on the inside. But he also got out-positioned by Daniel Gafford and Kyle Kuzma on several occasions on the glass. Washington had 12 offensive rebounds, six of them coming from the Wizards’ starting frontcourt of Gafford and Kuzma.

Bamba has to be more active in the paint to find success and really entrench himself in the rotation. Otherwise, he is going to remain a great mystery.

R.J. Hampton – B

R.J. Hampton’s offense can still be a bit of a sped-up mess. He certainly can get end to end quickly but slowing down enough to finish at the rim remains a challenge for him at times. Hampton can be a bit wild when the ball is in his hands, and that is why the Magic have likely avoided using him as the team’s lead ball-handler.

But the other parts of his game continue to fill out. In this one, it was about his defense and his activity. Hampton probably picked up a few bell-ringing plays and scored his share of deflections and steals to help spark the Magic’s defense.

This was a rare game where the Magic’s bench played well. A lot of that was because of Terrence Ross. But Hampton’s overall defensive activity deserves some kudos. It has slowly gotten better and more under control.

Washington Wizards – B

This is not the same Washington Wizards team from the beginning of the season. They are also struggling a ton to find consistency and get their offense going. The Orlando Magic’s defense was good for most of the game, but the Washington Wizards are a team struggling to find their flow.

Bradley Beal is good enough to keep the team competitive on that end. He did his part with 20 points and seven assists. But Kyle Kuzma was the real star of the game with 27 points and 22 rebounds (20 defensive rebounds). Kuzma was able to hit shots off the dribble and scored some big baskets in the fourth quarter.

In the end, the Wizards had veteran poise to close the game in the fourth quarter. The Magic felt extremely sped up.

The Magic hit the midpoint of the season at 7-34. They have the worst record in the NBA. The two teams will have their rematch in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.