Magic need energy, precision
LOS ANGELES — Making sharp cuts. Setting solid screens. Spacing precisely.
Doing all three things well is important for an NBA team even when it has its full complement of players.
For the injury-ravaged Orlando Magic, a team missing its two leading scorers, doing all three things well is an absolute necessity.
Coach hopes his players finally learned that lesson when they lost to the Kings 94-88 on Friday night in Sacramento. Playing without key offensive cogs the team’s leading scorer, and
the Magic struggled against the Kings’ lowly defense, made only 42.3 percent of their shots and scored just 36 first-half points.
“There’s details that go into executing on the offensive end,” Vogel said. “If you’re spaced poorly every time down and you don’t screen anyone, then the greatest scorers in the world aren’t going to be able to make shots.”
Vogel had ample reason to feel frustrated.
Although the Magic have made strides on the offensive end of the floor this season, their dry spells typically feature the common denominators of poor body movement, lethargic screening and too much one-on-one play.
And on Friday, the team lacked energy.
“For some reason, offensively we didn’t have any flow or anything,” center said. “I felt flat throughout the whole game. I just didn’t really bring much tonight. I felt it was one of my worst games of the year.”
Vucevic finished with 13 points on 5-of-11 shooting, but his three assists were canceled out by three turnovers.
The Magic have on offense season.
They approached their game Saturday night against the Los Angeles Clippers ranked 19th in the NBA in offensive efficiency, averaging 104.4 improved this points per 100 possessions. The Magic ended last season 29th in the league in the same category, scoring a paltry 101.2 points per 100 possessions.
But the team won’t sustain its improvement if it doesn’t play with more energy and precision while Gordon and Fournier are out. Offensively, swingman and provided its only Orlando with bright spots.
Simmons scored a game-high 25 points on 9-of-15 shooting — his highest point total since he scored 34 points on Feb. 6 in a victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Augustin played 28 minutes even though he was limited by a right-ankle sprain he suffered two nights earlier. He scored 12 points and dished out seven assists with only one turnover.
“I wasn’t 100 percent, that’s for sure,” Augustin said. “But once I’m out there, I’m out there to play no matter how it feels.” Rookie
played 25 minutes, 42 seconds during the loss to the Kings — his highest minute total since Nov. 5 when he played 28 minutes, 42 seconds in a blowout loss to the Boston Celtics.
Magic medical staff has allowed Vogel to increase the rookie’s minutes restriction to around 25 minutes.
“I’m pleased with whatever Coach Vogel sees fit for me to play,” Isaac said. “I’m just ready to play. Even if it’s 48 minutes, I’m ready to play.”
Entering Saturday, the Magic had lost eight consecutive games against the Clippers.
The Magic last beat the Clippers at Staples Center on Jan. 12, 2013.