Orlando Magic News: A Former Top Draft Pick Who Was Hurt Discusses Making a Career Comeback
Don’t look now, but the Orlando Magic are just half a game behind the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference standings after their 112-92 win over the going-nowhere Charlotte Hornets at home Tuesday night. Much of the success in the 2023-24 NBA season of the Magic can be attributed to their suffocating defense, which showed once again in the Charlotte game.
After the win over the Hornets, Magic guard Jalen Suggs said that Orlando is always going to be a handful for the rest of the league when the Magic’s defense is clicking.
“We play defense like that, it’s scary,” the former Gonzaga Bulldogs star said.
The Magic held Charlotte down to only 48.1 percent from the floor and forced the Hornets to commit a total of 17 turnovers. Picking the pockets and forcing turnovers from their opponents have been a staple this season for Orlando, which is fourth in the league with 15.0 defensive turnovers per game and No. 1 overall with a 13.7 percent defensive turnover rate.
This is an incredibly opportunistic defense team that will not shy away from every opportunity to get opponents to cough up the leather. The Magic are fourth in terms of adjusted defensive rating with 111.4 points allowed per 100 possessions.
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On Tuesday night, the Orlando Magic not only extended their winning streak to four games, but also secured their place in the NBA play-in tournament with a comprehensive 112-92 victory over the Charlotte Hornets.
The win marked their return to the postseason for the first time since 2020, showcasing a resurgent team led by an exceptional performance from Cole Anthony and a staunch defense. The Magic underscored their playoff readiness by keeping an opponent under 100 points for the 20th time this season, signaling their potential for a strong playoff presence.
Orlando capitalized on the opportunity against the injury-ravaged Hornets, who played without LaMelo Ball as well as other key contributors, to assert their dominance. That superiority was unmistakably evident in the second quarter, where the Magic combined sharp offensive execution with relentless defensive pressure to establish a substantial lead.
Orlando’s second-quarter blitz was a masterclass in basketball efficiency, resulting in a 40-15 advantage. It came in a half the Magic shot 65% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc, contrasted with the Hornets’ 34.3% field goal shooting and 25% from three. Orlando’s defensive intensity forced 13 turnovers, leading to 20 fast-break points.
Cole Anthony was at the heart of his team’s success, racking up 19 of his 21 total points on perfect first-half shooting.
“It all started on the defensive end…We got some stops. We made some good plays on the offensive end. You know, made stuff happen,” he said.
Anthony also expressed personal relief at his shooting success, acknowledging the frustration of missed shots despite diligent preparation.
“Our defense. I think our guys did a great job of getting after the basketball, defending without fouling. The pressure was there from each individual,” he said, praising the team’s effort in the second quarter.
Mosley emphasized the collective ownership of the team’s defensive capabilities.
“They’re taking full ownership of what we’re capable of doing…That first half was special, the way in which we got into the basketball, finished possessions, forced turnovers.”