ORLANDO Fla. — As Orlando’s Franz Wagner took the pass from Terrence Ross and released a 25-foot shot from the left corner, an audible cheer started to rise from the crowd at Amway Center. But it quickly dissipated into a groan as the shot bounced off the rim and into the hands of a waiting San Antonio player.
It was that kind of night for the Magic (2-8), who couldn’t find a sustained offensive rhythm, shooting 39% as the Spurs (3-6) jumped out to an early double-digit lead on their way to a 102-89 win.
Five Magic players scored in double figures, led by Cole Anthony’s 21 points. Wendell Carter Jr. had 13 points, Mo Bamba had 12, Jalen Suggs had 12 and R.J. Hampton added 11.
The Spurs had six players score in double figures, led by 20 points apiece from Dejounte Murray and Keldon Johnson.
As the Magic entered the second game of a five-game homestand vs. the Spurs Friday, they brought a renewed emphasis on the defense with them.
The 92-79 loss to the Boston Celtics on Wednesday was the first time that the Magic have held consecutive opponents to less than 100 points since Jan. 20.
Orlando knocked off Minnesota, 115-97, on Monday night.
Coach Jamahl Mosley credits the recent effort to players having a better understanding of the schemes.
“We talk about sticking with game plans and understanding what we’re willing to give up,” said Mosley. “Forcing teams into tough contested 2s and not allowing them to finish at the rim and ball security is the most important thing — not giving up live-ball turnovers so they’re getting easy baskets.”
Backup guard Hampton said he believes it’s come down to effort and hustle.
“We held Boston to 92 points. If we hit shots and don’t make some of those live-ball turnovers, that changes the game,” said Hampton. “Ninety-two points against the Boston Celtics is a win if we take care of the ball. Effort and hustle [is] the mindset that coach Mosley and the staff puts into us.”
Orlando limited the Timberwolves and the Celtics to 39% shooting (69 of 176), including 27% from the 3 (24 of 88). The Magic held those teams to 10.5 points off of turnovers after giving up nearly 18 points in the previous seven games.
The return of Chuma Okeke, who missed the first six games with a hip injury, has been a plus on the defensive end.
“He’s a very good defender who is able to guard multiple positions,” said Mosley. “He can guard up; he can guard down. You watch that Minnesota game where he was able to guard Karl-Anthony Towns on some possessions as well as being able to switch up and guard [Malik] Beasley at times. I think his versatility gives us so much depth in that area.”
Okeke is quick to deflect credit to his teammates. The Magic like to jam ballhandlers and rely on rim protection from Mo Bamba when the ball gets through.
“That just goes into us trusting that our defense is always going to help us,” said Okeke, who is averaging 18 minutes since his return. “We try to pressure the ball so it helps us make sure we have pressure on the backside. Mo’s a big part of that because he’s hard to score on. We get a lot of blocked shots and we have good guards that can defend.
“It’s about team defense and it’s about locking in and being confident in our defense.”
