The Miami Heat put up a big fourth quarter to come from behind and earn a 108-101 victory over the Orlando Magic at the Amway Center on Saturday. The Magic led by 12 at halftime and by 7 entering the final period. Looking at the stat sheet, it is hard to imagine how the Magic lost the game. They shot 54 percent from the field, including 47 percent from behind the 3-point arc. They had 31 assists, seven steals and…
The Orlando Magic defeated the Houston Rockets 104-101 on Wednesday night at the Amway Center. It was a game they most likely would not have won a year ago. Orlando survived two big runs from the Rockets to come away with a hard-earned victory. One of those runs came in the fourth quarter, when a probable win became very much in doubt. Orlando jumped out to a 20-10 lead halfway through the first quarter on jumper by Nikola Vucevic. James…
The Orlando Magic defeated the Boston Celtics, 110-91 on Sunday at the Amway Arena. With the victory, the Magic moved to within two games of the Southeast Division-leading Miami Heat. Orlando was led in scoring by Victor Oladipo, who contributed 19 points, 6 assists and 8 rebounds off the bench. Two recorded double-doubles. Nikola Vucevic had 18 points and 10 rebounds while Tobias Harris had 15 points and 11 rebounds. Isiah Thomas led Boston with 20 points and 7 assists.…
Teams with a losing record normally do not draw much positive attention, but in the case of the Orlando Magic, some silver linings surround the package. Orlando is 7-8 heading into Friday night’s game with the Milwaukee Bucks, but few outside of first-year Coach Scott Skiles and his team thought this team would be competitive early into his tenure. The first six games on their schedule were loaded with playoff teams. They lost their opener to Washington by one point,…
The Orlando Magic open the 2015-16 NBA season at home against the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night. Realistic expectations do not envision the Magic playing basketball into late May. Fans would be happy with breaking even. Since parting ways with Coach Stan Van Gundy after their playoff loss to the Indiana Pacers in 2012, there has been little to cheer about at the Amway Center. For those fans demanding Van Gundy’s ouster at the time, the message is clear; be…
On Thursday, the NBA held their annual player draft in Brooklyn, NY. There were no huge surprises or blockbuster trades. Far from the spectacle of the NFL draft where 7 rounds stretch over three days (thanks to ESPN), professional basketball lasts only two rounds and is completed in about 5 hours. The NBA draft is actually closer to calling players up from the minor leagues than elevating college players. While NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell mostly announces the names of college…
