The Orlando Magic have faced a lot of tests this season. Learning to win is not an easy thing to do.
The messaging though has stayed the same. Coach Jamahl Mosley has tried his best to keep his team even-keeled and focused on the bigger picture. He has focused on his team continuing to improve and weathering the storm.
If there is something that has broken through during this winning stretch for the team, it is this ability to stay even. It is easy to say all these things and it is much harder to do them.
What has changed of late is the way the team has put it into action and how quickly the team’s confidence builds into something real. Something that can make up for mistakes and put the team in a position to win.
The Orlando Magic are starting to find their way to win and the impressive part is how the team stays even-keeled and finds energy from different places.
The Magic are learning to win and actually putting together the winning habits that build things sustainably. Orlando is finding energy from different parts of their roster and someone is stepping up when they need it.
"“I think we’re really now starting to show that we belong,” Cole Anthony said after Wednesday’s win. “It’s not a fluke. We’ve done it for a pretty good stretch of basketball and I believe we will continue to do it. I just pray we keep everyone healthy and get some dudes who aren’t healthy back. We’re a super-talented team. We have a chance to do some things.”"
Orlando’s comeback from 15 points down early in the third quarter Wednesday started with switching to a zone defense to re-energize the team’s defense, the backbone of the team’s success. Orlando executed effectively on that end and sparked transition and flustered a young Rockets team.
From there, it was everyone else stepping up.
Paolo Banchero had 14 of his 23 points in the first quarter to pace the Magic through the early struggles in the game. They got Cole Anthony going in the second quarter with five second-quarter assists. That helped Franz Wagner get going and shake off a rough start as he got warm from his sprained ankle.
After Orlando worked to tie the game with that 2-3 zone, it was the bench that helped hold the ship steady.
It was the defense from Mo Bamba to help lock down the paint and continue the team’s defensive boost. The boost from Admiral Schofield crashing the glass for an offensive rebound and putback and scoring seven of his nine points.
Everyone stepped up and did something to keep the team afloat. And that even-keeled play eventually helped the team not only get back into the game but race ahead.
"“They were big time,” Mosley said after Wednesday’s game. “I’m so proud of those guys for always staying ready. Understanding that no matter what is happening in the game they know their job is to come in and create that spark. obviously, those guys came back n and pushed the lead out again. I’m so proud of this group that continues to play together and fight to the very end.”"
Right now it does not matter who is stepping up, somebody is. It is helping the team fulfill that other commitment from its coach: to play by committee. When one part of the team struggles, another picks it up.
Everyone played their role in the end.
And in clutch time, the Magic took over reloading with the starters with a four-point lead and expanding it to eight on a step-back 3-pointer from Franz Wagner. Keeping it at six with Paolo Banchero overpowering Eric Gordon and Jabari Smith for an and-1 layup.
Every piece fell into place. That is how it has been for the Magic throughout this win streak.
They have fought for this sort of by-committee approach. Yes, Banchero and Wagner still have the biggest scoring thrust and punch. Their production is vital.
But the characteristic of the Magic is how everyone has had their chance to step out. In this game — as it was against the Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks — it was big shots from Admiral Schofield. In previous games, it was big plays from Moe Wagner. Or the bench lifting the team up. Or Bol Bol doing something crazy to energize the team.
Everyone has contributed something to this win streak. And the Magic have become seemingly unflappable able to recover from every run they have faced and grow from their moments of struggle.
There is still a lot of work to do. The Magic have to improve their defense after struggling the last two games. The offense too still gets stuck in the mud and can settle for jumpers rather than attacking the basket.
Orlando knows there is much more work to do to improve and take those next steps. The Magic are getting there though. And each game where someone new steps up to the plate.
This is what the Magic have always wanted to happen. They wanted to take what the defense gives them and have multiple players who could step up and win them games.
The team is getting closer to this ideal. And now the results are starting to show as this team builds confidence.