Players review disastrous 4th quarter.
The Orlando Magic spent most of their practice time Sunday reviewing their disastrous fourth quarter two nights earlier against the Charlotte Hornets.
The Magic took an 18-point lead with 10:30 remaining in regulation, but they lost the lead and lost the game 120-116 in overtime.
Coach Scott Skiles and his assistant coaches broke down video from the quarter with their players.
“What was clear on the tape was sort of the sharpness of the way we were playing most of the game just went out the window,” Skiles said. “We just started kind of walking into our stuff and not getting open. And during that [stretch], we had some good looks, too. ...
“But just in general, it was like we were trying to work the clock or something instead of just playing the way that we played [during the first three quarters]. No lead is safe in the NBA. You’ve got to continue to play. So it wasn’t like we quit or anything like that. We just stopped playing with the pace that we had been playing with. I don’t just mean from end-to-end; I mean within the offense we just became very slow. And, at the same time, we had trouble stopping them.”
The rest of Sunday’s workout was spent going over their defense and with shooting drills.
“It’s tough because we lost a game that we had and we kind of just gave away,” forward Tobias Harris said. “But we can’t feel sorry for ourselves. It’s on us. We lost the game. We have to go out the next game and prove our worth and prove that we’re able to win.”
Fournier’s adjustment
When Skiles changed the Magic’s starting lineup Friday, it also meant swingman Evan Fournier had to come off the bench for the first time this season.
Fournier responded well, for the most part. Through the first three quarters, he scored 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting. The rest of the game, he went cold, just like the rest of the team, scoring two points on 1-of-6 shooting.
“I was trying to be aggressive — trying to be as aggressive as I can,” Fournier said. “Starting on the bench is not easy, so you have to get yourself going. I had good opportunities.”
Next team up
The Magic’s three-game road trip will begin with a tough game tonight against the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Magic have lost eight consecutive games to the Grizzlies and haven’t beaten the Grizzlies in Memphis since Feb. 23, 2008.
The Grizzlies play at a slow pace, but they also are known for their rugged frontcourt, led by power forward Zach Randolph and center Marc Gasol.
“There’s a lot of things you’ve got to deal with with them, for sure,” Skiles said. “They’ve got a lot of experience now, two guys upfront who are obviously very good. The backcourt is good. I mean, it’s an allaround solid team.”