Saturday night at the Amway Center in Orlando the Denver Nuggets defeated the Orlando Magic 91-87. Once again it was a combination of poor shooting and lack of aggression to get to the line, that led to the Magic defeat. The Magic came out to take care of business and the Nuggets came out and helped them with some poor shooting of their own. Let’s take a look at how the Nuggets defeat the Magic in low scoring game.
The first quarter started out fine for the Magic as they shot 54% from the field. They looked like the team coach Steve Clifford envisioned them to be. During the first quarter the Magic controlled the game with six assists. Nikola Vucevic started off strong with 10 points in the quarter. He looked strong and shot well.
Markelle Fultz was given the start for the first time for the Magic this year. Fultz looked a little tight as they started and he only accounted for two points in the first quarter. As the game went on he became more and more comfortable and looked like he can lead this team.
I asked Coached Clifford if Fultz would continue to be a starter now and he stated; ” I mean you don’t just change the lineup, so yes he is going to be in our starting lineup.” He also talked about what it is the Markelle does best for this team; “He can get the ball into the paint against anybody, and any scheme, So he is very dangerous in those situations.”
High praise from a coach that knows talent. Additionally, Markelle has come along way and so has the Magic team. With both Vucevic, who had 24-7-2, and Gordon, who had 21-9-3, they have a core that is as talented as any in the NBA. Throw in Evan Fournier and Jonathan Isaac and this team can compete. So what gives? why are they only 2-4? Let’s look, they shot 43% from the field, 20% from three and hit 65% of their free throws. That will get you a 2-4 record on its own.
But then you add the Nuggets getting to line 39 times to only 11 for the Magic and the Nuggets making 28 to only seven for Orlando. That’s a 21 point difference right there and when a game is tight, as it was Saturday, that is a stat that says why you lost. Clifford knew it and so do we.
On the other end, it was not any better really. The Nuggets shot 37% for the game! They were aggressive and got to the line often which saved the day. Nikola Jokic has another average game posting 20-7-4 but he has always been relentless when it counts. Jamal Murray chipped in with 22-4-2. Murray has stepped up his leadership role on the team and it showed.
The Nuggets had a terrible offensive night but on defense, they hold the Magic to under 100. But once again if we take a look at that discrepancy at the free-throw line for this one. This game was the Magic’s to win and they let it go.
Amway Center, Orlando Fl.
Photo by: Paul Casanova
If the Nuggets believe they are a contender in the NBA they must find an offense. The depth of this team is one of its assets and yet the bench has been outplayed consistently this year. They look as though they have only been together for a little bit of time, yet they have years together. Must be remembered the Nuggets beat the Magic on this night but looking at the teams today the Magic have a great upside and the Nuggets need to find their way back to the top. The Nuggets defeated the Magic in low scoring game.
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