Listen closely to the Orlando Magic and the shift in their approach is noticeable compared to this time last year. Or even earlier this season.
Throughout last season and the early stages of this one, almost every conversation was centered around development.
Improvement is still the Magic’s focus but they’ve made it known they’re playing for more than that, which was evident in their 100-91 Monday road win over the Chicago Bulls.
“We’re just playing for something,” Franz Wagner said after the victory. “We’re not far out from the play-in games. Every game matters for us. That’s how we got to approach every game.”
Although the Magic had that same approach entering Tuesday evening’s 123-113 loss to the Raptors in Toronto, Orlando’s last game before the All-Star break, it didn’t show in the ways that mattered.
The Magic’s defensive performance didn’t match the standard they set for themselves over the previous 15 games, in which ranked No. 8 in defensive rating (points allowed per 100 possessions).
The Raptors shot 60.2% from the field (50 of 83) and dominated the interior, scoring 74 points in the paint.
Even when the Raptors (28-31) were missing shots, they controlled the offensive glass. Led by Jakob Poeltl (30 points on 15-of-17 shooting, 9 rebounds — including 5 offensive boards — and 6 blocks), Toronto collected 13 offensive rebounds for 18 second-chance points.
Both teams struggled with giveaways but the Raptors took better advantage of the turnovers, scoring 29 points off takeaways and 22 points in fastbreak.
The lack of defensive fortitude, albeit on the second night of a back-to-back, was too much for the Magic (24-35) to overcome despite their hot shooting (51.2% from the field, 41.9% on 3s).
Orlando was led by Wendell Carter Jr.’s 26 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Jalen Suggs added 24 points (9-of-12) and 4 assists in 29 minutes off the bench.
The Raptors and Washington Wizards entered Tuesday three games ahead of the Magic for the final two spots in the East’s play-in tournament standings. Tuesday’s loss gave Toronto an extra game advantage.
The Bulls (three games ahead) and the Indiana Pacers (one game ahead) also are in arm’s each.
Seeds 7-10 in both conferences compete in the play-in tournament for the Nos. 7 and 8 seeds in the playoffs.
The Magic are using their play-in tournament/playoffs aspirations to fuel them during the season’s final stretch.
They’ll have 23 regular-season games left to catch the teams ahead of them after the break.
“That’s the great part about this team,” coach Jamahl Mosley said. “You challenge them with that knowing the circumstances and they’ve accepted the challenge. They don’t worry about the pressure of it because they’ve been prepared to do these things. Just being more of themselves is what we’ve asked them to do.”
Cole Anthony wasn’t available for the second consecutive game because of right wrist (shooting hand) soreness.
Jonathan Isaac also sat because of left knee injury management. He hasn’t played both ends of a back-to-back since his return on Jan. 23.
Third-year guard R.J. Hampton and newly signed center Goga Bitadze weren’t available, with their designation on the team’s injury report being “not with [the] team.”
Hampton could be waived or have his contract with the Magic bought out, league sources told the Orlando Sentinel earlier in the week. It’d give Hampton a chance to get more consistent playing time elsewhere.
