Looking for answers, end to slump in Mexico
The Orlando Magic probably could not have picked a better time to get away to Mexico. They are struggling and they need to regroup as the second third of the season approaches. Right now they need to lean on each other, shut out the distractions and get back down to basics.
During the NBA Mexico City Games 2018, they should be able to get the jolt they need.
The Magic will play two games at Arena Ciudad de Mexico against the Chicago Bulls on Thursday and the Utah Jazz on Saturday, but the opponents aren’t the focus. The Magic need to focus on themselves and get back to playing like the team that had won eight of 12 games after start-
ing the season 2-6.
Now Orlando has lost three straight and fallen to 12-15 overall. While that is still good enough for eighth place in the NBA’s Eastern Conference, it’s certainly not nearly good enough in the eyes of head coach Steve Clifford, nor in the eyes of the Magic players.
The Magic’s leader this season has been center Nikola Vucevic, but even he was not his usual, consistent self during an embarrassing loss at Dallas on Monday night. Vucevic, who came into the game averaging 21 points per game, managed just eight points and did not score at all in the second half. He did have 18 rebounds in the loss, but even Vucevic admitted to his and the team’s lack of “purpose of play.”
The Magic have faced a period such as this one already this season when they lost four games in a row after starting out 2-2, but Vucevic says this is a little different since they have completed the first third of the schedule.
“It’s much different when you’re 20-some games into the season. The margin for those streaks is much slimmer, so he have to react quickly, turn this thing around,” Vucevic said. “We go to Mexico City and we play the Bulls and Utah, so first we’ll focus on the Bulls and try to get that game. We just have to do much better than tonight [Monday] and I have to do a better job leading the team, as well.”
Vucevic’s first game as a Magic player coincidentally was in Mexico City during the preseason in 2012. He said he doesn’t remember much about the game, but he did say that the trip can provide an opportunity for the Magic to come together and try to right the things that have led them to losing their past three games.
“There are no distractions. It’s like any other road trip. We have everything that we need,” he said. “If anything, there’s maybe less distraction because you don’t have the things you have at home. It’s just you in a hotel and you focus and prepare for the games.
“We have to [regroup]. We have no choice. It’s three games in a row that we lost now and it’s time to react.”
Second-year forward Jonathan Isaac agreed.
“I think we need to buckle down and figure this thing out,” Isaac said.
The Magic were without starter Evan Fournier on Monday. Fournier stayed back in Orlando to deal with a personal issue and his status for returning to the team is unknown. Rookie center Mohamed Bamba, who also missed Monday’s game after violating a team rule by being late for a Monday hotel walk-through, is expected to be back Wednesday.