3:46am Tuesday Morning

Just as we all expected, a wire to wire win against one of the best teams in the NBA on their home court. That’ll do nicely.

This was by far the team’s most impressive performance so far this season. The opening day win against the Heat was a thriller of a game but it felt like the Heat were missing open shots, and the Magic did everything to try and throw it away down the stretch. This game, on the contrary, felt professional from start to finish. It certainly looked like a positive reaction to Coach Clifford’s terse post-match presser on Saturday night.



“More plays to be made, you gotta make them.” @OrlandoMagic coach Steve Clifford says that there were defensive mistakes that cost the Magic the game against the 76ers. #NBA #PureMagic pic.twitter.com/5fO1pjB6RZ — FOX Sports Florida (@FOXSportsFL) October 21, 2018

It was a refreshingly candid stance of accountability and responsibility, while working to up expectations on a team that should have been “making the jump” for the past 2 or 3 years. Mentality is one of the main aspects that separates a winning team and a losing team, and if Clifford’s words so far are anything to go by, he knows that too.

The Celtics were held to 41% from the field, and for once you can genuinely attribute that to a much more cohesive and potent effort from the Magic defense. The Cs made shots with hands in their faces, drew a ton of fouls and punished the Magic’s mistakes, but it felt like the Magic would come back each time. No one exemplified the gritty, intense nature of today’s game better than Jonathan Isaac.

Jonathan Isaac – …And Breathe.

What a performance this was from Judah. He had been completely MIA for the first few games of the season (early foul trouble in the Miami and Charlotte games certainly doesn’t help), and after so much off-season hype surrounding his summer league performances and his new frame, this performance came just in time.

He finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds, both career highs. The numbers themselves do not tell the story of just how well he performed throughout the game — His length, defensive pressure and quickness of feet was a constant problem for the Celtics, and he was unfortunate not to have a couple of steals off the passing lanes.

His offensive game, too, has a lot more value when you see past the numbers. He was calm and composed, in a raucous Garden which threatened to lift the Celtics over the Magic at several points. But Isaac did all he could to stymie the crowd noise, including undoubtedly the shot of the game — a clutch elbow jumper off the dribble which put the Magic up by 5 with 54 seconds remaining.

An outstanding performance.

C L U T C H pic.twitter.com/xhnV8aZsMk — Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) October 23, 2018

The Guards – Top Heavy



All 5 of the Magic starters finished with double digit points in last night’s game, including DJ Augustin. Augustin also finished with 10 assists, as did Evan Fournier, as the two really did their best to help move the ball and find easier shots, a much needed development after 3 games of stunted ball movement. The two did, however, combine for just 8/26 from the field, as shots failed to fall once again. But, as evidenced by their +12 and +10 plus/minus respectively, they more than made up for their scoring struggles.

Jerian Grant, on the other hand, struggled to score and was having an awful time controlling the ball — giving away two turnovers which should have been more, as the ball bobbled between his hands on seemingly each possession. Terrence Ross and Jonathon Simmons also had games to forget, as the Magic’s second unit once again found difficulty to hold on to the lead. Fortunately, once the first unit took over in the 4th quarter, the Magic found their rhythm again and could put the game to bed.

Nikola Vucevic – Irreplaceable

Once again, we are witnessing the rebirth of Spinal Tap Nikola Vucevic Mk. II. This latest Jazz odyssey was not as statistically impressive as his triple double in the game against the 76ers, but it is clear that when the offense runs through Vuc and he is in a mood like he was tonight, absolutely everything improves. Space clears up for Fournier, Augustin has avenues to the basket, and opposition switches lead to mismatches. It was a mature and encouraging game once again. If this team has designs on a playoff place this season(feels absolutely bizarre to be saying that), Vucevic can not be moved.

V🏀🏀CH is having himself a night. 16 points & 9 rebounds Magic 48, Celtics 45 at halftime. pic.twitter.com/lZPv5DC1tb — Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) October 23, 2018

Another tough game for Bamba on the offensive end, coming up with a goose egg once again. This isn’t exactly a steaming hot take, but boy does he need to gain some weight to stop being pushed around on the boards. Fortunately, he contributed more than capably on the defensive end this game, finishing with 2 blocks. Still a long way to go for the rookie.

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To come away from a two game road trip to Philadelphia and Boston with one impressive win and an encouraging 1 point loss is a fantastic result for this young Magic team. The players are buying in to Clifford’s team defense philosophy, and the key names are doing what they need to do. Roll on Thursday and the Portland Trail Blazers.

“Should I have skipped it and gone to bed?” Rating: 0/10. A seriously impressive win, with some marvellous performances.