The Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Orlando Magic 120-114 Wednesday night at the Amway Center in Orlando. Depending on the team in this situation you may want to throw away the tape to this one. Or if you are the Thunder you use it to teach young guards how to go to the hole in an NBA game.
The first quarter was a sign of the way the game would go for both teams. The Magic shot a dismal 31% from the field and the Thunder shot a nice 55%. From the beginning, the Magic was coming from behind but could never catch up. Nikola Vucevic leads the way in the first for Orlando with four points and six boards. Things got slightly better in the second, but for both teams, leaving the Magic trailing at the half by Nine.
At the half, the Magic were only shooting 40% while leaving the Thunder at 63%. With a defense like that, you will never catch up when behind. Dennis Schroder, who finished with 31 on the night, got to the rim at will all night. At times he seems to just walk in for a layup. Coach Clifford stated when asked about the defense;
“We just got crushed one on one” he stated. “we got beat so clean, time after time, I mean literally almost no way to help…If you get beat that badly off the dribble you will get beat every night.”
Now if you are the Thunder than the night was a positive for you. They finished the night shooting 60% and doing just about what they wanted to do on offense. A CP pick and roll or Schroder slashing to the hole, whatever was available they took it. Chris Paul kept it in perspective:
“All these wins and stuff are good and well but you got to keep building. You play the regular season to build toward the playoffs.”
Paul believes they can make a run at the playoffs and if they continue to play at this level and the young guys continue their improvement, they will make the playoffs. They are a tough team that plays disciplined ball. They have a leader in Paul that makes a big difference on and off the court.
From the start of the game, the Orlando Magic was playing catchup and just could never find that groove or make that stop. The absence of the big guy JI, was obvious in the lane last night if the Magic want to make the playoffs again they will need to find a way to play more consistent defense. For now, it is on to the next game, Boston at home Friday night.
