Balanced attack helps Mavericks cruise past Magic, 108-93

With turmoil surrounding the team, most notably the future of head coach Jacque Vaughn, the Orlando Magic had to shut it all off to host the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday night. Orlando made it interesting late, but Dallas cruised to a 108-93.

Coming in losers of seven straight, the Magic needed to get off to a good start. However, much like many of their games during the current losing streak, the Magic started slowly on both ends of the floor. They were unable to slow down Dallas' high power offense, allowing them to shoot a sizzling 63.6 percent in the quarter. The Magic were also unable to get anything going of their own on the offensive shooting an ice cold 26.9 percent from the field, coupled with four turnovers leading to nine Maverick points. Tyson Chandler led the way for the Mavs with eight in the quarter, with four Magic players, led by Nikola Vucevic, finishing with four each.

After a putrid opening quarter, things got even worse for the Magic in the second. Dallas continued to impose their will, dominating the game on both ends of the floor. The visiting Mavs, playing the second game of a back-to-back, continued their red hot shooting, raising their shooting percentage to 64.3 percent after two quarter, including 53.8 percent from beyond the arc. Dallas also moved the ball at a high rate, notching 16 assists on 27 made field goals, compared to eight on 16 makes for the Magic. Dallas' ability to turn the Magic over continued to aid them, as they forced five more turnovers leading to four more points. Monta Ellis led the way for the Mavs with 13 in the half, with Vucevic leading the Magic with 10.

With their backs pushed all the way up against the wall once again, the Magic had to find something if they had any hopes of making the game look even respectable. To their credit, the Magic came out of halftime with a better energy level, cutting the Mavs lead under 20 a few times in the quarter. However, whenever they were able to, Dallas answered right away, pushing the lead back up over 20 before anyone could blink. Dallas cooled off from the field, falling to 57.6, but continued shooting lights out from deep, knocking down 11-of-20 through three. Chandler's 18 led all scorers, with Vucevic's 17 leading the Magic.

Heading into the final 12 minutes, the Magic finally appeared to have some life in them. For the second straight game, veteran guard Willie Green gave the Magic a big spark in the final quarter, getting the Magic going early after knocking down a few jump shots. The lineup of Green, Evan Fournier, Maurice Harkless, Aaron Gordon and Channing Frye got the Magic going on both ends, knocking down open shots, while slowing the hot Mavericks down on the other end. After a three by Frye cut the Mavs lead down to five, Dallas answered behind two big buckets by Ellis to push the lead back up to nine. Despite their best of efforts, the Magic were unable to muster a big enough comeback to overtake the hot Mavs.

Six Mavs finished in double figures, led by Ellis' 25-point, 13-assist double-double. Chandler finished with an efficient 20, with Richard Jefferson finishing with 14 in his spot start. Devin Harris played much of the game after an early injury to Rajon Rondo, finishing with 12 off the bench. Dirk Nowitzki notched 11, with JJ Barea rounding out the group with 10.

The Magic finished with five players in double digits, led by Vucevic's 17-point, 16-rebound double-double. Evan Fournier, filling in for an injured Victor Oladipo, finished with 15, with Green adding 15 off the bench. Aaron Gordon finished with 11, with Frye adding 10 off the bench.