The Orlando Magic played at an appropriate pace and took advantage of transition opportunities, but could not execute in overtime and fell to Houston.
The Orlando Magic are not in the business of moral victories anymore. They are not looking for pats on the back or for a coach to tell them what they can learn through defeat.
There is still some growing and learning to do. Even in defeat, the Magic seem to be getting better, displaying some heart, grit and toughness to get to that next level.
Now it is just about getting to that level.
The Magic stood toe to toe with the Houston Rockets before falling 119-114 in overtime at Toyota Center on Wednesday.
Here was yet another opportunity to show some poise and confidence late in games that was squandered. This young Magic team is still learning to trust its new offensive and defensive principles and implement them. It will not come overnight.
If there is any solace to take, it is that at least the Magic’s defense came around late in the game. Despite giving up 63 points in the first half, the Magic tightened up their defense and relied on it heavily to create transition opportunities and stay in the game.
Orlando had long moments of stagnation throughout the game, but never quite lost contact with Houston throughout the game. The Rockets led most of the second half, but never pulled away.
The Magic could thank their commitment to defense for that. And despite struggling to take the lead and get over the hump, Orlando always had an answer offensively too.
Evan Fournier followed up his career-high 30-point effort against the Pelicans with a 29-point game Wednesday against the Rockets. Aaron Gordon also scored a career-high 19 points for the Magic, providing some strong defense on Trevor Ariza and James Harden in the process.
Orlando simply ran out of gas in the overtime period.
Fournier sent the game to overtime as the offense broke through one last time to get its best player (for the moment) the ball. He turned the corner on a pick and roll and scored by getting past Dwight Howard and drawing a foul at the rim. He made both free throws to force overtime.
Orlando though made just two of nine field goals in overtime and James Harden is James Harden and cooked up a few points — including an and-1 he banked in. The Magic struggled to take advantage of the opportunities they had. In that condensed time that is enough to do them in.
Shabazz Napier had a chance to tie the game with three seconds left, but his 3-pointer fell no good as the Magic struggled to execute a clean inbounds to set anyone up for a 3-pointer.
Orlando had fallen short again and may have lost Nikola Vucevic, who sprained his right knee early in the third quarter and did not return to the game.
The Magic are still seeking consistency in their execution. Until they do, moral victories will have to begrudgingly do.
