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3 Orlando Magic stats to be encouraged by, concerned with through 11 games

By Philip Rossman-Reich

The Orlando Magic are off to a solid start to their season. But there is clearly a lot of work to do. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
The Orlando Magic are off to a solid start to their season. But there is clearly a lot of work to do. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic, Moe Wagner
Paolo Banchero struggled with his decisionmaking down the stretch as the Orlando Magic’s offense struggled to find its footing. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images) /

3 Orlando Magic stats to be encouraged, discouraged by through 11 games

Discouraged: The Second Half

First, the good news.

The Orlando Magic are getting off to great starts and have led in the second half of every game this season. Even in Orlando’s three big losses, they were in the game. The days of the Magic getting blown out of the water seem to be well behind them.

Orlando has the top net rating in the first half of games at +16.9 points per 100 possessions (117.6 offensive rating and 100.7 defensive rating). That has kept the Magic ahead in a lot of games and ensured they are a tough team to crack.

The second half? Well, that is the problem isn’t it?

Before getting to the numbers, everyone knew with the Magic leading the Bulls by even 17 at the half on Wednesday that Orlando would still be in for a fight. As the Bulls whittled the lead down to nine at the end of the third quarter, everyone could feel the game get tight. The Magic even led by eight with 1:30 to go and somehow gave up the lead.

This is a real problem. Fans are feeling how tight the team is getting. And i tis obvious the Magic have some issues closing out games — Paolo Banchero heroics aside.

Orlando is 29th in the league with a -14.4 net rating (99.4 offensive rating/113.9 defensive rating)in the second half and 28th in the fourth quarter with a -12.4 net rating (98.4/110.9).

Defense is clearly not the problem. While both of those defensive marks are worse than Orlando’s season average, those are still competitive numbers overall. The issue is how the Magic’s offense just goes into the tank, going from respectable to abysmal.

Is this about defenses adjusting to the Magic’s length and physicality with their pressure? Is the issue rotations and lineup decisions — perhaps the Magic need to put more emphasis on their veteran shooters in the second half? Is this just a young team that does not know how to manage a lead that gets tight late in games?

All are fair questions to ask. And a little experience will indeed go a long way for this team. But the Magic have to figure this out. These late-game struggles have cost them a lot of winnable games.

If there is a reason magic fans are frustrated with the start to this season it is that it definitely feels like this team is already a lot better and has left wins on the board.

Still plenty of time to learn.

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