The telltale signs of frustration were all there.
The poor body language. The quick shots with players trying to will the team out of its malaise. The poor defensive rotations. The 20-seconds of strong defense, followed by the four seconds of poor defense.
In some ways, Orlando still feels so close to righting the ship. That last step back is just a big one. In many, many, many ways, the Magic are still as far as they have ever been.
The team’s body language and effort seemed to droop and waver. Orlando was not going to fight its way back into this game. Not with a lax defensive effort throughout and the inability to get good shots.
The Boston Celtics pulled away in the fourth quarter and won 113-94 at TD Garden on Friday, sending the Magic to their seventh straight loss and 12th loss in the last 13 games.
Orlando appears in full free fall, unable to right the ship or even find the effort and energy to give itself a chance in such an important game.
Orlando shot 40.5 percent from the floor. Nikola Vucevic led the team with 14 points, but on just 4-for-11 shooting.
The Magic were often taking quick jumpers or trying to force shots. Aaron Gordon, left largely open by the Celtics’ defense, was hesitant to shoot immediately, trying to make the right play to attack. Elfrid Payton was getting into the paint, but finding few outlets for shooters.
Orlando’s key players just are not performing.
That goes double on defense. The Celtics shot 50.0 percent from the floor and 10 3-pointers on 24 attempts. They got whatever they wanted in the fourth quarter and their overall depth just overwhelmed the Magic.
When Orlando fell behind in the fourth quarter, the team just got buried. The Magic were not able to pick themselves up even when the starters came back in. Instead only frustration remained.
Orlando simply cannot find much positive to point to as these losses continue to mount and pile up.
