As their players return, the Orlando Magic regain their defense.
The Orlando Magic want to focus on their defense, which has been difficult with so many key players injured. Having Wendell Carter, Jonathan Isaac, and Joe Ingles back has proven to be a significant boost.
The Orlando Magic have had to slog through the last two weeks with Franz Wagner sidelined due to a sprained ankle. They’ve had to piece together a rotation due to injuries on the squad and an illness that’s spread around the team.
With the losses stacking up and the club trying to maintain the same players on the court on a continuous basis, the Magic were losing defensive control. Everyone could feel it just as much as the numbers could.
It was evident the team was struggling, but it was difficult to get much going offensively other than hope Paolo Banchero could save the day. That was their sole plan. The crew simply needed some relief.
Here comes the cavalry. Here’s some hope. Here’s the light at the end of the tunnel.
More significantly, a devastating return to the defense that dominated the league in the early months of the season. Here comes Magic Basketball.
The Orlando Magic relied heavily on that defense in a dismal shooting performance against the New York Knicks, shooting 44.7 percent overall and 8 for 29 from deep. However, they delivered one of their best defensive performances of the season, limiting the Knicks to 94 points, a 106.8 defensive rating, 39.8 percent shooting, 13 for 40 from three (32.5 percent), and only 16 fourth-quarter points.
Getting those healthy bodies back went a long way toward restoring defensive pressure and intensity.
They then relied largely on Paolo Banchero’s shooting and Markelle Fultz’s playmaking to take the lead and maintain it. Orlando won the game with a 17-6 kick in the last 7:38.
That is what provided just enough offense to outscore the Knicks in the fourth quarter for a 98-94 victory at Madison Square Garden.
“Just find a way,” coach Jamahl Mosley stated following Monday’s victory. “I believe that after all is said and done, you have to find a way, and the way they handled it was defensive. Hold that team to 94 points by guarding correctly down the stretch, protecting the rim, and limiting them to 36 points in the paint while not fouling.
“I think we need to understand that defense travels. Defense will be our primary focus. Our tenacity, resilience, and unwavering fight regardless of what happens during the game.”
It has been evident how much of a patchwork the team’s defense has been with all the missing players. And just as clear how much adding the injured players back into the fold gave them a much-needed boost.
Wendell Carter is essential to the team’s defense with his ability to guard the perimeter and track back to the paint. Markelle Fultz too is a big guard who is adept at darting in for steals and strong enough to defend the block if need be.
It is no coincidence how key getting those healthy bodies back was to the team’s success and even down the stretch. Getting Wendell Carter back for the first time in five games along with the returns of Markelle Fultz, Joe Ingles and Jonathan Isaac from sitting out back to backs proved critical.
Orlando could get back to themselves because their key players were back in the fold and ready to make an impact.
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