3 Orlando Magic shooting stats that tell a bigger story
By Jacob Warfle
Orlando Magic shooting stats
47.5 percent from the field as a team
The Orlando Magic have a 47.5-percent field goal percentage – ninth in the league.
Coming off bottom three finishes in the previous two seasons, this is something to celebrate. In 2021, the Magic were last in the league in field goal percentage at 42.9 percent.
Simply put, the Magic are getting better shots this season and making them. This increase is likely due to the location of these shots as the Magic are getting to rim at their best rate in years. They are also now in the top five in free throw rate after languishing in the bottom five for the last decade since Dwight Howard left.
For the season, the Denver Nuggets lead the league at 50 percent from the field and the Boston Celtics are not far behind them. Good teams shoot a good percentage.
This number is noteworthy because it says one of two things – the Orlando Magic are winning at a high rate due to their defensive efforts or they are not getting enough shots up.
It looks like it is both. The team ranks 24th in defensive rating and 21st in pace. They are also 24th in the league in total field goals attempted.
These numbers are surely things the coaching staff is addressing because they are continuing to place an emphasis on playing with pace and playing defense.
The Magic’s shot diet is very different too. Three-pointers are down, but the team’s shots are up in the paint in the next area of efficiency. The high field goal percentage though has not translated fully into better offense.
If the team picks up its pace, the total field goal percentage may drop. But the tradeoff will be worth it in the end.
Young teams are always growing and evolving and we likely will not know the Magic have going for them until we see the full rotation.
Next. Orlando Magic should start fishing for point guard help. dark
The team has a little bit of time. But in order to really compete in the future, a couple of current players will need to develop into consistent shooters or the front office will need to address it through trades or free agency.