Magic Suffer Heartbreaking Loss

Orlando, FL— In a game with a playoff-like intensity, the Magic fell to the Los Angeles Clippers in a heartbreaking 96-87 loss tonight.

The Magic were riding high off an impressive 30-point win over the Kings on Saturday night and were looking to build off that positive momentum. The Clippers on the other hand were coming off a tough loss last night in Cleveland and were able to avenge that on the second night of a back-to-back in Orlando.

Playoff-Like Intensity

From tipoff to the final buzzer, tonight’s contest showed on full display how this was a playoff-like game in terms of the atmosphere, the physicality, and where both teams sit in the standings. 

“That was a playoff game,” Mosley said of tonight’s loss. “The physicality, the small tiny things matter in these games because what turns out to be a four-point differential in a game feels like 10 because of the amount of possessions that are being had. So every rebound matters, every foul matters, every little small possession in a game like this.” 

Paolo Banchero added: “Cause they held us under a 100 or held us under 90 actually. So I think we’ve had some games like that where our defense has been good. Just, you know, wish our offense could have put up a couple more points.”

Orlando’s Offensive Struggles

Orlando once again struggled all night to score the ball and shoot the ball efficiently. You have to give a ton of credit to the Clippers who boast a top-three defense in basketball and have the personnel to lock up the opposing team’s best players night in and night out. 

The Magic had four players score in double figures, including Paolo Banchero (26 points), Franz Wagner (21 points), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (11 points), and Cory Joseph (10 points). Orlando shot a poor 30-of-77 (39.0%) from the field, 7-of-27 (25.9%) from distance, and 20-of-22 (90.9%) from the charity stripe.  

“I think we got to some spots. I think we missed some wide-open looks, some good looks,” Mosley on the team’s offensive execution tonight. “I think we had some inopportune turnovers at the wrong time down the stretch.”

Clippers Turn Up The Physicality

The Clippers turned up the physicality which really hindered the Magic tonight in terms of scoring 87 points tonight and it led the team to continue making the ‘small mistakes’ that are ultimately the difference in the game. 

“I think we handled the physicality fine. I really do,” Mosley on how the team handled the physicality tonight. “I don’t think it was them, it was a matter of And then give the Clippers credit, they did all those small things in that little stretch that changed the game and opened the game up. 

Mosley added: “I think we handled the physicality fine — And then give the Clippers credit, they did all those small things in that little stretch that changed the game and opened the game up. So every rebound matters, every foul matters, every little small possession in a game like this.”

A visibly frustrated Franz Wagner was asked by reporters in the postgame about why he believes the team is still making the ‘small mistakes’ this late in the season, and this was his response. 

“Cause we’re not robots,” Wagner said. “That’s what, game 75 or whatever it is? Mistakes don’t happen and that’s no excuse —But that would be my answer.”

Clippers Defensive Effort

The Clippers forced Orlando into 14 turnovers which led to 13 Los Angeles points. James Harden recorded a season-high seven steals and Kris Dunn was no slouch as he was swarming defenders all night while chipping in two steals. 

“I think they just are really disciplined,” Banchero on the Clippers defense. “They got a lot of experienced players who’ve been around for a long time and they do a great job of communicating to each other on the court — they got Kawhi, Dunn, Zubac — Their defense is pretty unique.”

Clippers Stars Step Up

The Clippers had contributions all around as Kawhi Leonard and Norman Powell both recorded 21 points each, and both James Harden and Ivica Zubac combined for 38 points. 

“I thought, you know, he really got it going,” Ty Lue on James Harden. “He was able to attack mismatches, he was able to get downhill, get into the paint, and score the basketball in that second half. And that’s what he’s done for us all year long.” 

Final Thoughts

The Magic have harped on wanting to play their best basketball in March and April, but it hasn’t been going well. Orlando will finish March with a record of 7-8, and three ugly losses to the Bulls and Raptors twice at home may come back to bite this team as they’re in a neck-and-neck race with the Atlanta Hawks for the seventh seed in the East.

Orlando, despite their elite defensive prowess, has continued to struggle shooting the ball from the perimeter, finding scoring from players not named Paolo or Franz, and they’ve struggled to close out tight games. There are a ton of fundamental problems wrong with this team right now, but they have a chance to turn the tide tomorrow evening in San Antonio on the second night of a back-to-back.