The Orlando Magic and the Chicago Bulls matched up in a Holiday battle on Monday night at the Amway Center in Orlando Florida. The Magic gave the Bulls a holiday loss right before Christmas winning 103-95. The game started off tight in the first quarter as they ended 28-28. The Magic’s Terrence Ross started the night off with eight points in the first quarter. When you’re in the zone, which Ross was, it can be hard to stop.
For the Chicago Bulls, their go-to guy, Zach LaVine, led the Bulls with seven in the quarter. Zach was tough to guard all night but the Magic put forth one of the better defensive nights all year. The second quarter was more of the same for both LaVine and Ross. By the half, the Bulls led 54-51. Lavine led all scorers with 15 at the half and Ross led Orlando with 14.
This was the kind of game that the Magic have looking for. It is a reminder of the way they played at the end of last year when they made the push at the playoffs. Jonathan Isaac, who had three blocks on the night was asked how the team resembled the team at the end of last season:
“First off the way, Terrance Ross played, his ability to knock down shots and be an X-factor…Defensive rebounding and blocking shots ..”
Magic Coach Steve Clifford echoed the same sentiment:
“We had become a purposeful team that was defense first, played with good purpose on offense and that is what we did in the second half..”
It is Magic basketball. When they play this way it is hard for any team to beat them. Throughout the second half, it was the theme for the Magic, to be aggressive, both on offense and on defense. All in all the Magic had 13 blocked shots and 23 assists on 39 field goals. To top this off they shot 23 free-throws. That is aggressive ball.
Coach Clifford said when I asked about the aggressive play;
“We are better when we play offensively… When we play quicker and the ball’s hitting the paint we are a much better offensive team… And Markelle’s always in the paint. A big part of our penetration being better is him.”
Although Markelle finished with only 13 points, it was his drive and kick-outs that helped Ross finish with his game-high 26 points on the night. Lavine for the Bulls also had 26 on the night. Aaron Gordon had a nice double-double with 16 and 11 rebounds. He was in a very festive mood after the game as he portrayed Santa in the locker room (top photo).
It was a great win for the Magic as they head into a Christmas break with something to build on for the rest of the season as the Orlando Magic hand the Chicago Bulls a holiday loss.
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