Ross delivers clutch shot
Orlando Magic coach
had a hunch. Vogel thought
was the right guy to take a potential game-altering shot Monday night against the Philadelphia 76ers.
With the score tied 104-104 late in overtime, Vogel called a play for Ross coming out of a timeout.
Running off the baseline, Ross benefitted from screens from
and and launched a 20-foot catchand-shoot jumper. Ross swished the shot to give Orlando a 106-104 lead with 34.7 seconds remaining in the extra period.
Vogel’s decision was counterintuitive move.
Ross had made only three of his 14 shot attempts before Vogel called the play.
“I’m always trying to stay positive and keep shooting,” Ross said after the game. “Some shots are going to fall. Some shots don’t. But when you hit the a one that counts, that matters.”
A few sequences later, Ross collected a defensive rebound, was fouled immediately and then made both free throws.
Perhaps the strong finish can spark Ross, who has been wildly inconsistent since the Magic acquired him and a 2017 first-round draft pick on Feb. 14 from the Toronto Raptors for power forward
Ross’ defense has been strong with the Magic, and he also has enjoyed a few big games offensively. But he also has disappeared entirely on the offensive end in some games.
The Magic need more consistent offensive production from the wing positions.
In theory, that should not be difficult for Ross, who arrived in Orlando as a career 37.6 percent 3-point shooter. that’s all said Ross’ shot to give Orlando a 106-104 lead proved that Ross “is a confident guy.”
“He knows that we have the utmost confidence in him,” Payton added. “If he’s open, we want him to shoot that shot. We know he can make that. For himself, it’s tough to go out there and be shooting 3-for-14 and shoot that next shot with the same confidence as you shot that first one. And he did, and that was a big shot for us.” Payton and
gave the Magic the energy boosts they needed to recover from a 17-point deficit in the third quarter.
Payton sat out the final 17 minutes of the first half because he picked up three early fouls. So Vogel left Payton in for the entire third quarter.
“To me, the guy that led the shift in our team’s determination and energy was Elfrid Payton,” Vogel said. “He really brought it in the third quarter on both ends, attacking and being Vogel said engaged and getting us organized offensively and in attack mode. Really, he brought a great competitive spirit to the defensive end.
“Biz was fantastic to start the fourth quarter and made it very difficult for me to take him out of the game. I really gave a lot of consideration to just riding him out because he was playing with such great energy.”
With Orlando trailing 87-83, Biyombo blocked a dunk attempt by
The play turned the game’s momentum in the Magic’s direction.
The Magic had Tuesday off.
The NBA’s report for the final two minutes of the fourth quarter and overtime of the Sixers-Magic game showed no referee errors that benefitted the Magic.