Davis has post-Christmas plans
The Orlando Magic had Christmas Day off, but to hear Glen Davis tell it, he wouldn’t have minded playing a game on the holiday.
Davis was eager to wash out the bitter taste of the Magic’s 103-98 loss Monday night to the New York Knicks.
The Magic have begun their six-game homestand with three consecutive losses.
The Magic didn’t have formal practices on Tuesday or on Wednesday. But when asked whether he preferred to have the days off or another game, Davis responded, “another game.”
The team is scheduled to return to the practice court this morning.
“We’re going to use this practice time and holiday joy to get our spirits up to come back after Christmas and get us a win,” Davis said. The Magic hold an 8-20 record. Only the Milwaukee Bucks (6-22) and Utah Jazz (8-23) have worse winning percentages than the Magic.
The Sacramento Kings are 8-19, while the Philadelphia 76ers are 8-20.
Praise for O’Quinn
Second-year center/power forward Kyle O’Quinn didn’t play in the loss to the Knicks, but O’Quinn played in the fourth quarters of recent losses to the Utah Jazz and Sacramento Kings and in the fourth quarter of the road win over the Chicago Bulls on Dec. 16.
Magic coach Jacque Vaughn said he’s seen growth in O’Quinn’s game.
O’Quinn, 23, ranks second on the Magic in rebounds per minute, averaging 15 boards per 48 minutes.
O’Quinn started playing organized competitive basketball during his junior year of high school. “He has grown,” Vaughn said. “I’ve really been challenging Kyle to really start taking the next step in his career. He’s a second-round pick and started playing basketball late and he’s got some ground to make up. He has to continue to watch basketball, be around basketball, thirst for knowledge of the game, and that’s the next step for him.” One of O’Quinn’s strengths is his passing ability. “A lot of times if we run backdoor plays or I need a big passing the basketball, he’s fearless,” Vaughn said. “He can really pass the basketball.”
Harris returning to form
Combo forward Tobias Harris appears to be gaining confidence after a high-ankle sprain forced him to miss 21 of the Magic’s first 22 games. Harris has started the Magic’s last three games. In those three games, in 37 minutes per game, he’s averaged 16.3 points, 7 rebounds and 2.3 assists.
One concern, however, is his shooting percentage. In the three games, he’s made 42.1 percent of his shots.
Defensive boost
The Magic began Christmas ranked17th in the NBAin defensive efficiency, limiting opponents to 102.7 points per 100 possessions.
But the team’s players drew some confidence from holding the Knicks to19 points in the third quarter and19 points in the fourth quarter on Monday night.
Magic swingman Arron Afflalo noted — correctly — that New York’s best player, Carmelo Anthony, missed the game’s final 19 minutes because of an ankle injury.
“He’s a big weapon for them that they run their offense through entirely,” Afflalo said.
“Other guys play off of him pretty much throughout the game. So when he goes down, there’s not necessarily confusion, but guys are thrust into different positions and mandated to produce. Sometimes that’s what happens when your best player goes down or your best offensive player.”