A deeper look at the Orlando Magic’s 1-2 start

Through three games of the NBA season, the Orlando Magic are not where they want to be.Sporting a record of 1-2 with back-to-back losses since opening night, let’s take a look at how the Magic got here.Orlando Magic vs. Miami Heat (ORL wins 125-121)In a game Orlando could have easily lost, being down eight points with 6:40 left in the fourth quarter, the Magic rallied behind some late defensive heroics from Jalen Suggs, Wendell Carter Jr., and newcomer Desmond Bane.The offense looked the part of a team ready to make the jump to Eastern Conference contention, while the defense took a step back for most of the game. Going 12 of 30 (40%) from three-point range was an improvement from last year’s putrid 31.5% clip (worst in the NBA), and allowed them to crawl back into the game late.24 points from Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, respectively, with 23 from Desmond Bane on 3/6 shooting from deep, is a stat line that will win Orlando a lot of games. Plus, a healthy Jalen Suggs getting the start and playing clutch minutes will always be a welcome bonus.A nice welcome back to the NBA for this Magic team, which is looking to do more than just make the playoffs come April.Orlando Magic vs. Atlanta Hawks (ATL wins 111-107)Alright, Orlando tried to flip the script here and come into the fourth quarter with a solid lead, unlike Wednesday night when they trailed late by multiple possessions. However, they flipped the script too much, blowing a fourth-quarter lead of their own to Atlanta. Leading by 12 points early in the fourth, then allowing a 15-0 run midway through the fourth and letting Hawks guard Trae Young score six points in the final 46 seconds, the Magic blew a great chance to keep their undefeated season moving along.Franz Wagner again excelled with 27 points (a game high), but Banchero was nowhere to be found. His 11 points on 4/15 (26.7% shooting) and one assist were not what the Magic needed from the former number one overall pick to secure a win, yet they almost did.Desmond Bane’s three-point shooting took a back seat in Friday night’s game (1/7), and a horrible day from the free throw line, going 24/37 (65%), didn’t help their chances. Orlando missed all seven of their three-point attempts in the final frame and notched their first loss of the season.Orlando Magic vs. Chicago Bulls (CHI wins 110-98) And the three-point shooting problem is fully back from last season. Orlando finished 3/24 (12.5%) from three and didn’t eclipse 100 points against Chicago.Paolo Banchero had a better output, dropping a double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds on 7/21 shooting, but the three-point issues and another 20+ turnover game really held the Magic back.”I thought we got some great looks, but those parts (are) where you’ve got to step in and knock them down,” Orlando Magic Head Coach Jamahl Mosley.Newcomer Tyus Jones got the start Saturday in place of Jalen Suggs (left knee injury management). Jones finished with zero points on five shots in 14 minutes of action.Former Magic big man Nikola Vucevic finished with 15 points, alongside a team-high 21 points from Josh Giddey. The Bulls also finished with 14 more assists than the Magic (26-12), and took a comfortable fourth-quarter lead that they would not end up surrendering.Through Three GamesNow, the Magic sit at 1-2 through three home games.But in these three games the Magic have the sixth best defensive rating, the sixth fastest pace. The big problem is the offense which ranks as the 29th best offense in the NBA.The problems of last season seem to be popping up in this season. Solid defense with a lack of ability to consistently shoot the deep ball. Newcomer Desmond Bane was acquired by Orlando for his shooting ability. But Desmond Bane can’t make every three (and he’s not consistently making them early in the season – he’s 4/15 through his first three games from beyond the three point line), and this team is going to have to find ways to consistently score if they want to truly be a contender in the eastern conference.Orlando now embarks on a five game road trip, starting at Philadelphia on Monday night. Magic fans will find out a lot about this team’s resilience before they make it back home to the Kia Center in early November.

ORLANDO, Fla. —

Through three games of the NBA season, the Orlando Magic are not where they want to be.

Sporting a record of 1-2 with back-to-back losses since opening night, let’s take a look at how the Magic got here.

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Orlando Magic vs. Miami Heat (ORL wins 125-121)

In a game Orlando could have easily lost, being down eight points with 6:40 left in the fourth quarter, the Magic rallied behind some late defensive heroics from Jalen Suggs, Wendell Carter Jr., and newcomer Desmond Bane.

The offense looked the part of a team ready to make the jump to Eastern Conference contention, while the defense took a step back for most of the game. Going 12 of 30 (40%) from three-point range was an improvement from last year’s putrid 31.5% clip (worst in the NBA), and allowed them to crawl back into the game late.

24 points from Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, respectively, with 23 from Desmond Bane on 3/6 shooting from deep, is a stat line that will win Orlando a lot of games. Plus, a healthy Jalen Suggs getting the start and playing clutch minutes will always be a welcome bonus.

A nice welcome back to the NBA for this Magic team, which is looking to do more than just make the playoffs come April.

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Orlando Magic vs. Atlanta Hawks (ATL wins 111-107)

Alright, Orlando tried to flip the script here and come into the fourth quarter with a solid lead, unlike Wednesday night when they trailed late by multiple possessions. However, they flipped the script too much, blowing a fourth-quarter lead of their own to Atlanta. Leading by 12 points early in the fourth, then allowing a 15-0 run midway through the fourth and letting Hawks guard Trae Young score six points in the final 46 seconds, the Magic blew a great chance to keep their undefeated season moving along.

Franz Wagner again excelled with 27 points (a game high), but Banchero was nowhere to be found. His 11 points on 4/15 (26.7% shooting) and one assist were not what the Magic needed from the former number one overall pick to secure a win, yet they almost did.

Desmond Bane’s three-point shooting took a back seat in Friday night’s game (1/7), and a horrible day from the free throw line, going 24/37 (65%), didn’t help their chances. Orlando missed all seven of their three-point attempts in the final frame and notched their first loss of the season.

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Orlando Magic vs. Chicago Bulls (CHI wins 110-98)

And the three-point shooting problem is fully back from last season. Orlando finished 3/24 (12.5%) from three and didn’t eclipse 100 points against Chicago.

Paolo Banchero had a better output, dropping a double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds on 7/21 shooting, but the three-point issues and another 20+ turnover game really held the Magic back.

“I thought we got some great looks, but those parts (are) where you’ve got to step in and knock them down,” Orlando Magic Head Coach Jamahl Mosley.

Newcomer Tyus Jones got the start Saturday in place of Jalen Suggs (left knee injury management). Jones finished with zero points on five shots in 14 minutes of action.

Former Magic big man Nikola Vucevic finished with 15 points, alongside a team-high 21 points from Josh Giddey. The Bulls also finished with 14 more assists than the Magic (26-12), and took a comfortable fourth-quarter lead that they would not end up surrendering.

Through Three Games