Isaac and Bamba Shine as the Magic Dominate the Grizzlies

The Magic’s young frontcourt of Mo Bamba and Jonathan Isaac dominated the Grizzlies and number five overall pick, Jaren Jackson, Jr., helping Orlando race away early.

The Orlando Magic are now 2-0 in summer league after swallowing the Memphis Grizzlies whole, 86-56. The Magic held the Grizzlies to an incredible 17 of 65 from the field, ‘bad’ for 26%, and 4 of 18 from three.

Isaac and Bamba swatted away everything that came their way, even combining for this block on Jackson Jr.

While scoring came easy for neither squad, Isaac helped pace the team defensively with five rejections, and two steals. Iwundu helped with four deflections, and the Magic forced the Grizzlies into 14 turnovers.

The Magic came out a bit gingerly on both ends of the floor. The Grizzlies dominated the boards even with Isaac and Bamba on the floor in the first (20-14), though Bamba showed incredible recognition with his timing and physicality under the glass. The biggest detriment to the Magic came on the other end of the floor, where eight turnovers kept the game at 16-16 through the first quarter.

The Magic dominated the second quarter with an early 9-0 run. MEM and JJJ responded with a 9-3 run before the Magic closed out the quarter with a 8-0 run to end the quarter and the half at 36-25.

Wesley Iwundu and Melvin Frazier used suffocating length and recovery speed on the perimeter. Iwundu was particularly impressive defensively, with four first half deflections, two steals, and vocal leadership. Both Iwundu and Frazier talked throughout, calling out assignments and showing veteran like confidence on that side of the floor.

Iwundu will have to continue improving offensively, however, as he saw numerous mistakes result into turnovers. One particular occasion saw him drive into three defenders, creating an easy turnover and transition opportunity for the Grizz.

Bamba exhibited a nice shooting touch, as he drilled a corner three effortlessly from a defense breaking Isaiah Briscoe.

The Magic again from three overall, shooting just 4 of 18 on the night.

Troy Caupain showed great recognition, body control, and physicality on the boards, and looks to be the captain this team needs on the offensive end. He gave great energy, and awareness, shielding defenders with his off ball hand, and creating space to clear the way for his vision. Late in the game, the young guard continued coaching from the bench, the exact kind of thing the coaches want to see from their young guys.

Braian Angola-Rodas checked in three times, and showed a nice shooting stroke, including two threes, but also committed a charge, and stepped out of bounds on a nice set up from Isaiah Briscoe.

Isaac has much to work on offensively. Turnovers committed by untimely passes, as well as trying too hard to take defenders off the dribble. His jumper looks to be improving, but looks to be a year away from being a serious part of his game. He doesn’t yet have a go-to move offensively, finding himself matched up in the paint with smaller players, and sending it back to the perimeter instead of attacking. But he showed excellent spatial awareness on a timely pass to a cutting Frazier, took Davis off the dribble with a behind the back move, and of course, dominated on the defensive end of the floor.

The third quarter was particularly impressive for the Magic, as they came out firing on all cylinders. Or slamming I should say, with alley oops from Briscoe to Bamba, and an exclamation point reverse dunk from Bamba, special delivered by Braian Angola-Rodas.

The Magic won the quarter 27-18, and led 63-43 heading into the fourth.

From there, Caupain shut things down with back-to-back jumpers of 15 and 20 feet, adding to his impressive performance on the night.

It was garbage time after that, as coach Pat Delany emptied the bench.

Bamba, in his limited minutes, showed recovery speed, and rejected gravity itself on a third quarter rejection, in which it seemed his outstretched fingers reached the top of the backboard.

He played particularly well with Byron Mullens, as the two anticipated each other and rotated off pick and rolls seamlessly. Mullens, however, committed a foul to remove himself from the game late in the third quarter. He went straight to the training staff and layed down on the floor stomach first, making it appear his back could be the culprit.

Bamba and Isaac continue to impress, changing every shot in the paint, and forcing the Grizzlies into a jump shooting team, and we saw how that went for them (17 of 65).

It was a nice night for the Magic, who showed their potential against one of this year’s draft darlings, JJJ. JJJ finished with but five points on 1-for-9 shooting.

Isaac finished with 12 points, seven rebounds, five blocks and two steals.

Bamba had 11 points, five rebounds and two blocks in just 15 minutes.

Caupain put in 10 points, seven rebounds, and five assists in an all-around impressive performance. Briscoe put in 9/4/3, and Iwundu rounded out the group with 10.

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Jeff Weltman joined the broadcast team to discuss newcomer Jerian Grant, and break down Aaron Gordon’s new contract.

Even Terrence Ross was on hand to salute the Magic’s newest big man.

Next up the Magic face Deandre Ayton, Josh Jackson, Mikal Bridges, Dragan Bender and the Phoenix Suns. The game can be seen Tuesday night at 9:30 p.m. eastern time on NBATV.