Despite their record, the Orlando Magic have been within striking distance in almost every game this season.
They’ve established an identity of a team that gets to the rim, draws contact and gets to the line, uses their size to control the glass, and plays hard night in and night out.
Now, the next step in their evolution is closing out games.
The Magic (1-6) will attempt to put forth a strong 48-minute performance when they visit the Oklahoma City Thunder (3-3), who’ve won their last 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,” said 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 will need to have that mindset and limit mistakes against an Oklahoma City squad that’s currently playing its best basketball.
Over their last three games, the Thunder have the best defensive rating in the NBA (101.3), are third in points off turnovers (23.7), and are second in points in the paint (62.0).
Leading the charge for Oklahoma City is fifth-year guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who’s averaging career highs in points (31.0), assists (7.0), steals (2.4) and blocks (1.2) per game.
“(We need to) speed them up,” said Magic two-way player Kevon Harris. “Keep them off the glass and just play aggressive defensively. Just play our game from the jump.”
KEY STATS: For young players in the NBA, two key factors to having early success are opportunity and availability. After struggling with injuries to start his career and having limited chances to crack rotations, Bol Bol is not only healthy, but also getting plenty of minutes in Orlando.
And the 7-foot-2 center is making the most of it by getting off to a terrific start to his 2022-23 campaign. The Oregon alum is averaging career highs in nearly every category, but most notably points (10.9), rebounds (6.7), blocks (2.4), and minutes (20.3) per game. He’s also coming off an outing where he notched his first NBA double-double, tallying 16 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks against the Dallas Mavericks.
“We believe in him,” said 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 that help the team. Extra passes, blocked shots, challenges at the rim, all that stuff. He’s a great teammate.”
IN AND OUT: Jalen Suggs (right ankle sprain) is continuing to progress in his rehab and will be a game-time decision against the Thunder tonight.
However, Orlando will be without Cole Anthony (right internal oblique tear), Markelle Fultz (fractured big left toe), Gary Harris (left knee injury recovery), Jonathan Isaac (left knee injury recovery), and Moe Wagner (sprained right midfoot).
For Oklahoma City, Josh Giddey (right ankle sprain), Chet Holmgren (right foot surgery), Eugene Omoruyi (G League – Two-Way), Lindy Waters III (G League – Two-Way), and Jaylin Williams (G League – on assignment) 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 some of the opposition’s best players
HOW TO WATCH: Watch the game on Bally Sports Florida or tune in on radio via FM 96.9 The Game.
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