The second half for the Orladno Magic started exactly how the Magic needed it to after a frustrating first half that saw them turn it over nine times in the first quarter and 12 times in total -- with nine missed free throws to boot.
Franz Wagner got a deflection on the opening possession and went out in transition to finish a run-out layup. Anthony Black then ripped the ball away from his man and got another layup.
That cut the deficit to eight. But for the first time all game, the Magic's defense had some energy and juice. They were playing in control and tightening the screws.
They were not chasing the game, they were dictating its terms.
That moment lasted only for those two possessions. The Magic quickly went back to the mistake-ridden, low-effort game that has characterized this sluggish 2-6 start and this game against the Suns.
The lead ballooned as the Suns started hitting threes. The Magic tried to force things to get back into the game. That led only to more turnovers and more mistakes. They compounded into what became as much as a 30-point deficit and eventually a 117-103 defeat.
The Magic are saying the right things. But their play has hit a frustraitng boiling point.
They only have themselves to blame.
The Magic turned it over 25 times for 36 points, with the Suns making the Magic pay for every mistake. Phoenix hit 17-for-34 from deep.
Especially when Orlando missed 11 free throws, including nine in the first half.
The Magic made a minor comeback in the fourth quarter to the cut the deficit to 13 and make the Suns think.
Franz Wagner had 15 points and a career-high 15 assists. He put constant pressure on the paint while shooting 7-for-13. He also had six turnovers, as the Magic's backcourt with Anthony Black accounted for 11 in the game.
That was nowhere near enough for a Suns team playing with confidence and suddenly hunting out turnovers against a hapless Magic offense.
Devin Booker scored 20 of his 30 points in the first half. Dillon Brooks scored 24 to keep the Magic at a safe distance.
Orlando never gave itself the chance to compete in this one.
Missed chances
The Phoenix Suns' defense has not been good all year. Even if they had a better-than-normal defensive game, they were going to give the Orlando Magic chances to stay in the game. Even if the Magic had their predictably bad shooting game.
Orlando's whole problem this season were these missed opportunities. The issues the Magic face are all about the chances they left on the board.
Nine first-quarter turnovers for 11 points put the Magic in an early hole. They finished the first half with 12 for 17 points.
The final nail in the coffin came in the third quarter when they committed 10 turnovers for 16 points. There was just no making up that deficit.
It got worse because the Magic left points on the foul line -- and then could not get back there in the second half as the deficit kept growing and the turnovers compounded.
Orlando made just four of its first 10 free throws, despite getting into the bonus early in both quarters. They were 11 for 20 at halftime and 13-for-24 for the game. In a 13-point loss, the Magic missed 11 free throws.
How would makes, in the first half especially, change the game's complexion?
When a team is playing at a deficit, playing with a lot of injuries and trying to find its footing, these are all opportunities the team cannot give up. And that has been a consistent story for the Magic all season.
Frustration is contagious
The Orlando Magic had their momentary burst of energy to start the second quarter. And then they went back to their frustrating play that put them in the hole.
The deficit just kept growing. And like a 2K player too afraid to rage-quit, the Magic started forcing everything.
This game essentially ended with pure frustration.
A Desmond Bane technical foul after he missed a pair of open threes in the third quarter -- the Magic shot 13 for 38 from deep (34.2 percent), helped by a late surge -- was the zenith of the team's rock bottom. Franz Wagner even picked up a flagrant foul for throwing a player ot the ground.
The mistakes compounded over and over again. That turned a manageable but large deficit into one they could not catch up to. Orlando was lashing out, trying to figure out why they kept hitting this wall.
Orlando does not have the firepower or poise against even the worst defense in the league to make up ground.
Confidence is contagious. The Suns are a good offensive team even with their defensive struggles. But confidence spread to everyone as they made shots.
Frustration is contagious too. And the Magic let frustration bury them in a deeper hole. Orlando found no relief and have nothing easy to get them going.
Wendell Carter is trying guys
About the only positive I can point to in this mess of a game was the effort from Wendell Carter.
Carter had a strong opening to the season with the Orlando Magic putting him in the dunker spot. But he has been floating to the perimeter far too much in the intervening games.
The Magic seemed to make it a point to get the ball to Carter in the mid-post more and to let him lurk around the basket.
That netted in 27 points, 13 rebounds and 10-for-12 shooting overall. Carter was active around the basket and a steady presence defensively.
More than anything, Carter just did his job when no one else on the roster was able to. He was in his spots on both sides of the ball and active.
On a night when the Magic were a complete disaster, a player doing his job stands out.
Carter has done that more often than not this season. If he keeps doing that, he will remain a solid player for this team.
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