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Want scoring? Look away.
Looking for pace? Sorry, wrong channel.
But if you like seeing shots bounce harmlessly away from the basket, you have reached the right place.
The Orlando Magic managed to do just that, by netting only an astounding 31 of 94 shots (33%), including 7 of 39 from three point range (17.9%).
The Magic managed five field goals in the second quarter, and six in the fourth. The Magic scored just 13 fourth quarter points, after taking a three point lead into the fourth.
Armed with a 13 point halftime lead, the Chicago Bulls were not much better. The Bulls scared “tank fans” by sinking but TWO shots in the entirety of the third quarter, opening the third quarter on a 0-for-14 tear. They managed just nine points in that period.
“I was proud of the way our guys came out of halftime. They showed a lot of fight.” - Frank Vogel
With a three point lead heading into the fourth quarter, Frank Vogel was out of answers. Every offensive weapon in the Magic’s arsenal was on the floor, and with DJ, Mack, AG, Vuc and Hezonja on the floor, the Magic could not find a way to win.
“We got really cold. Missed some wide open threes, and didn’t get back and match defensively well enough.” – Vogel
There were no heroes in this one, but promising rookie Lauri Markkanen had an impressive first quarter with eight points in the first four minutes. He would finish with 13 points and eight rebounds.
His early offense contributed to a quick 25-11 lead, though the Magic would close to 30-24 by the end of the first.
Cameron Payne made all four of his shots in the first half for 11 with six assists, while Sean Kilpatrick led the reserves with 13 on 2 of 11 shooting. Noah Vonleh and Cristiano Felicio had 11 and 16 rebounds, respectively.
As for the Magic, Aaron Gordon was the leading scorer, albeit on 6 of 21 shooting, just 1 for 8 from three and seven assists, while Nikola Vucevic collected 12 points and 14 rebounds on 5 of 16 shooting.
Asked if Vogel approved of Gordon’s shot selection: “A lot of them, yes. A handful, no.”
Did You Notice?
The Chicago Bulls were expected to start Robin Lopez, but opted to start Cristiano Felicio instead. Lopez did not play a single minute.
Wesley Iwundu was set to return to the starting lineup, fresh from his upper respiratory infection, but was pulled from the lineup an hour before tip due to the same circumstance.