Osceola Loses Three in a Row

Osceola, FL—After dropping two back-to-back games, the Osceola Magic fell just short again tonight with a 116-110 loss against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers after a close Vipers vs Magic game.

Caleb Houstan Assigned to G-League

After the Orlando Magic returned home after their heartbreaking loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on the road, the team announced on Wednesday evening that guard Caleb Houstan would be assigned to the G-League for the Magic vs Vipers game.

Houstan was previously assigned to the Osceola Magic one other time this season back on Nov. 14th against the Mexico City Capitanes. Houstan in that performance finished with 10 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists. In his second game back with the Osceola Magic Houstan finished the night tallying 23 points while shooting 8 of 19 (42.1%) from the field, 4 of 15 (26.6%) from three, and grabbing four boards.

“I think it’s real easy they run the exact same things,” Caleb Houstan said of his transition from Orlando to Osceola. “They’re real good at keeping me up to date about what’s going on, so when I do go down here it’s pretty easy. The staff helps out a lot, the players help out a lot, so it’s easy when I get down here.”

In the first half of play, Houstan scored seven points while knocking down a pull-up mid-range jumper off the glass and connecting on a right corner three to get the Magic going early on. He started the second half defensively with a steal and coast-to-coast slam and did a great job of staying within the flow of the offense for this Magic squad.

Mac McClung and Ethan Thompson Lead the Way

The reigning NBA G-League MVP and former 2x NBA Slam Dunk Champion Mac McClung was an integral part of the success of the Osceola Magic this evening. McClung despite eight turnovers, would finish the evening with a near triple-double as he recorded 27 points, nine assists, and shot an efficient 8 of 11 (72.7%) from the field.

Mac kicked it off in that first half of play tallying 12 points, six assists, and shot a perfect 4 of 4 (100%) from the floor. McClung did a phenomenal job all evening long reading the defense, controlling the pace, and being methodical in choosing when and where to pick his spots, and it was reflected in both the box and final score.

“I thought I played a lot better but the turnovers it’s something that bothered me,” Mac McClung said of his performance. “I felt like today was one of my best days of passing the ball—It’s something I’ve gotta hold responsibility for, but I’m not gonna let it weigh on me and be like this is the worst day of my life.”

Fourth-year guard Ethan Thompson was another fantastic contributor for the Magic as he finished the night with 15 points, seven rebounds, and four assists. Thompson had a highlight-level reel dunk to close out the first half on a backdoor cut from Mac McClung.

Osceola’s Final Numbers

Osceola shot 38 of 85 (44.7%) from the field, and 10 of 44 (22.7%) from the deep, but 14 turnovers in the first half and 25 total on the night ultimately derailed the team.

“Yea I mean it’s just their ball pressure,” Osceola Magic Head Coach Dylan Murphy said of the turnovers. “They put a ton of heat on the basketball, they do a really good job of that. So we just gotta be stronger on the ball, but those guys know that, and we’ll come back stronger on Saturday ready to go.”

The Magic limited the Vipers to shoot 43 of 87 (49.4%) from the floor, 10 of 36 (27.8%) from distance, and forced them into 15 turnovers tonight. It was an all-around performance by the entire Vipers starting five as four players scored in double figures from Teddy Allen (27), Thon Maker (18), Jermaine Samuels Jr (21), and Markquis Norwell (19).

Osceola will look to bounce-back on Saturday evening as they will play host to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers once again for another Vipers vs Magic matchup.