Shooting sputters
Orlando can’t shake shooting slump, falls at home to OKC
The Orlando Magic couldn’t overcome a 37% shooting performance as they absorbed a 108-99 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night at Amway Center.
The Magic came in averaging a leaguebest 33.8 points in the fourth quarter, but they managed just 17 points during the final 12 minutes and couldn’t catch the Thunder. Orlando got within 90-89 on a Dwayne Bacon three-point play with 9:37 to play but scored just two points during the next 5:17.
Nikola Vucevic recorded his fifth double-double of the season with a seasonhigh 30 points to go with 13 rebounds to lead the Magic (4-2), who lost for the second straight game.
Terrence Ross, back after missing a game because of hamstring irritation, finished with 26 points and moved past Tracy McGrady for 94th on the NBA’s all-time 3-pointers list (1,082) with a season-high four 3-pointers.
Aaron Gordon had 15 points and Markelle Fultz had 12 points and eight assists for Orlando.
Darius Bazley finished with 19 points and 12 rebounds — both season highs — to lead the Thunder, who snapped a three-game losing streak. George Hill scored 18 points and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 16 for Oklahoma City (2-3).
Ross made his presence felt immediately, hitting his first four shots and sparking a 22-9 run that turned a 15-7 deficit into a 29-24 lead.
But after a Ross layup created a 33-26 lead, the Magic proceeded to score just 18 points during the final 13:31 of the first half. Orlando was 7 of 28 from the field, including 1 of 8 from the 3-point line, and committed four turnovers. Of those misses, 11 were from 15 feet or closer.
At one point, the Magic were just 2 of 14 from the field.
Luckily, Vucevic was in a groove, and his 16 first-half points on 6-of-9 shooting helped the Magic stay close. Orlando trailed 52-51 at halftime.
Evan Fournier missed the game with lower back spasms. Michael Carter-Williams started in place of Fournier, who had to leave Thursday’s game in the first quarter with the injury.
The Magic also played without rookie forward Chuma Okeke, who sustained a bone bruise to his left knee on Thursday. Gary Clark moved into the backup power forward spot with Okeke out.
Orlando returns to action Monday at 7 p.m. when it hosts the Cleveland Cavaliers. It will be the first of two straight games between the teams, who will meet again Wednesday at Amway Center. Both games will be broadcast on Fox Sports Florida.