Excuse the Orlando Magic for taking the opportunity to puff their chests. There just have been so few nights where they have been able to. Not to mention so few nights where it felt like the fourth quarter was academic and more of a celebration of a job well done.
The Orlando Magic did not have to sweat things out Sunday night against the Chicago Bulls. Instead, they put the exclamation point on a victory well earned.
Jalen Suggs got the ball in the middle of the fourth quarter to make that statement.
He got across the mid-court line and blew past his defender. The runway was wide open for him to take off. Only DeMar DeRozan stood in his way. With a well-placed off-hand, DeRozan was batted away like a fly.
Suggs finished the play with a monstrous right-handed jam that sent the Amway Center into hysterics. Wide-eyed fans were shocked in amazement (it has been a while since the Magic have had a guard this dynamic on the ball). Terrence Ross even became a meme (again), the former Dunk Contest champion aghast with the rookie’s bravado.
Suggs felt the moment too, stomping beneath the basket and soaking in the fans’ adoration. The Magic rode that momentum to a comfortable 114-95 victory at the Amway Center on Sunday. The Magic got a chance to celebrate. In some ways, they got the chance to have fun.
The Orlando Magic have rarely been able to put together a performance good enough to celebrate before the buzzer. The team put everyting together for a big victory at home.
That dunk put the cap on an effort that was worthy of the final margin and the victory.
The Chicago Bulls might have been a step slow and a bit sloppy as they figured out how to play without glue guy Alex Caruso, injured in Friday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks. But Orlando had every part of that too to take advantage. They forced turnovers — 22 turnovers for 24 Magic points — and got out in transition.
More importantly for the Magic, they moved the ball significantly well. They tallied 31 assists on 42 field goals. There was a good flow offensively as the Magic darted in and out of the paint and kept the ball hopping around.
When the Magic’s offense was struggling, their defense stepped up and kept them in the game.
Holding onto leads in the third quarter has been a problem for the team. The Magic have not only led by more than 10 points for the fewest minutes in the league, but they also have the worst record in the league in games they lead by 10 or more points.
The Magic opened up a 16-point halftime lead. They expanded that lead out to 20. But when Chicago cut the deficit down to seven, Orlando had the plays to extend the lead back out.
Orlando showed that confidence to do that and take control of the game. They played the way they are supposed to play to win. And they finally got to have some fun.
The Magic deserved to puff out their chest some.
Player Grades
Moritz Wagner – A
The Orlando Magic did not start off this game great. Their defense was dialed in and kept the game close, but their starting group struggled to get itself going offensively. This could have easily been a game for them to fold. Moritz Wagner stepped in and helped boost the offense early and just make plays over and over again.
Wagner scored 23 points, making 9 of 13 shots in the game. He was good at getting in the paint and attacking Nikola Vucevic in the paint. He was patient and just did a good job finding his gaps and playing smart. He hit only one 3-pointer in the game, so a lot of Wagner’s work came on the inside.
With Mo Bamba in foul trouble for most of the game, Moritz Wagner had to step up in a big way. He did that and a whole lot more. That helped the Magic in immeasurable ways nad gave them the chance to grow and build.
Franz Wagner – B+
Like his brother, Franz Wagner stepped up in a big way. He got the ball in his hands, at times running “point Franz,” and made good decisions. Wagner is so patient and intentional with his dribble moves, he is able to create space and find gaps to finish at the basket.
Wagner’s patience on his drives, even if the finishing piece is still hit or miss (but hitting more often), is still his most important and impressive skill. Wagner scored 18 points on 7-for-14 shooting and added five assists.
Wagner was the Magic’s most impressive starter all game long. He did a good job just finding his spots on the floor. Orlando rode those moments throughout the game.
Jalen Suggs – B
Jalen Suggs has been playing a lot better since he returned from injury. A whole lot better.
His patience and pace attacking the basket are significantly better. He is able to get himself to the basket and finish more consistnetly. It is not all the way there yet. He still has to continue improving. But that patience and skill is coming. Suggs, as the Bulls defense found out on three dunks in the fourth quarter, is a train coming down the tracks.
Suggs scored 15 points on 4-for-10 shooting. He missed his only 3-point attempt of the game and seven of his eight free throws. That ability to get to the foul line is the biggest part of his arsenal. He draws contact and is able to get players out of position to win.
More impressively, Suggs had seven assists as his assist numbers continue to climb. As his turnovers continue to decrease (just one in this game), he is becoming a better playmaker and creator off the bounce. It is really encouraging.
Cole Anthony – B-
Cole Anthony is still a big part of this Orlando Magic offense. And he continues to try to scratch his way through this shooting downturn. Other players playing better and becoming part of his playmaking will ultimately help him shoot the ball better. The Magic still need his shooting and his creation. He will get there.
Anthony scored 11 points on 4-for-13 shooting. He did a good job though realizing he did not have his shot going. He did not take too many 3-pointers — going 1 for 2 from deep as the team did a good job being selecting with its outside shot (12 for 26 for the game). And he got five assists for good measure.
Anthony is still doing good things. And this was a good game for Anthony understanding the balance he needs to have.
Chicago Bulls – C
The Chicago Bulls are in a bad spot right now. It is clear they are a bit shell-shocked from the injury over the weekend and they are missing Zach LaVine. They were struggling to get their center and put the Orlando Magic away. Orlando just had more spark and zest to them. The Bulls’ depth was completely depleted and Moritz Wagner outscored them by himself.
DeMar DeRozan is a superstar at this point after scoring 41 points. The Magic could do nothing with him. But Chicago had no one else going. Nikola Vucevic got torched in the paint on both ends. He struggled to 13 points on 4-for-19 shooting before he fouled out.
The Bulls will figure themselves out eventually. They are doing plenty of good things. But this was one of their worst efforts. And they got run out of the gym.
The Magic are now 9-39 and 15th in the Eastern Conference. They are back in action Wednesday against the LA Clippers at the Amway Center.