Despite their document, the Orlando Magic have been inside hanging distance in virtually each recreation this season.
They’ve established an identification of a workforce that will get to the rim, attracts contact and will get to the road, makes use of their measurement to manage the glass, and performs laborious night time in and night time out.
Now, the following step of their evolution is closing out video games.
The Magic (1-6) will try to put forth a powerful 48-minute efficiency after they go to the Oklahoma City Thunder (3-3), who’ve gained their final three outings, on Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET.
“I really think it’s about the next play mentality, the next game mentality, next day mentality,” stated Magic Head Coach Jamahl Mosley. “We tell them all the time that even though you didn’t get the results that you wanted from the game, we’re learning. The guys are learning and understanding. And we have to attack the next day to get better. It’s about these guys continuing to grow and continuing to get better.”
Orlando might want to have that mindset and restrict errors towards an Oklahoma City squad that’s at the moment taking part in its greatest basketball.
Over their final three video games, the Thunder have the perfect defensive ranking within the NBA (101.3), are third in factors off turnovers (23.7), and are second in factors within the paint (62.0).
Leading the cost for Oklahoma City is fifth-year guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who’s averaging profession highs in factors (31.0), assists (7.0), steals (2.4) and blocks (1.2) per recreation.
“(We need to) speed them up,” stated Magic two-way participant Kevon Harris. “Keep them off the glass and just play aggressive defensively. Just play our game from the jump.”
KEY STATS: For younger gamers within the NBA, two key components to having early success are alternative and availability. After battling accidents to start out his profession and having restricted possibilities to crack rotations, Bol Bol just isn’t solely wholesome, but additionally getting loads of minutes in Orlando.
And the 7-foot-2 heart is taking advantage of it by getting off to a terrific begin to his 2022-23 marketing campaign. The Oregon alum is averaging profession highs in almost each class, however most notably factors (10.9), rebounds (6.7), blocks (2.4), and minutes (20.3) per recreation. He’s additionally coming off an outing the place he notched his first NBA double-double, tallying 16 factors, 11 rebounds, and three blocks towards the Dallas Mavericks.
“We believe in him,” stated Magic rookie Paolo Banchero. “We’re not surprised by what he’s doing. We just want him to keep being himself (and) keep being aggressive. He plays winning basketball. He makes plays the help the team. Extra passes, blocked shots, challenges at the rim, all that stuff. He’s a great teammate.”
IN AND OUT: Jalen Suggs (proper ankle sprain) is constant to progress in his rehab and will likely be a game-time determination towards the Thunder tonight.
However, Orlando will likely be with out Cole Anthony (proper inside indirect tear), Markelle Fultz (fractured large left toe), Gary Harris (left knee harm restoration), Jonathan Isaac (left knee harm restoration), and Moe Wagner (sprained proper midfoot).
For Oklahoma City, Josh Giddey (proper ankle sprain), Chet Holmgren (proper foot surgical procedure), Eugene Omoruyi (G League – Two-Way), Lindy Waters III (G League – Two-Way), and Jaylin Williams (G League – on task) are out.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “I go out there looking (to be) the best defender every night. I embrace that. I feel like that’s a huge way I help this team.” – Harris on being tasked with guarding among the opposition’s greatest gamers
HOW TO WATCH: Watch the sport on Bally Sports Florida or tune in on radio through FM 96.9 The Game.
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