Shooting struggles plague Magic in loss to Cavaliers

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Statistically talking, the Orlando Magic entered the playoffs with the worst offense of any group within the discipline.

They lived up — or on this case, down — to their billing.

Orlando had 4 gamers miss each try, and the Magic made solely 33% of their pictures in a 97-83 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers within the opener of their Japanese Convention collection on Saturday.

The Magic ranked final within the NBA this season in 3-pointers and went simply 8 of 37 behind the arc in opposition to the Cavs. They weren’t significantly better from the foul line as Orlando went 19 of 30 on free throws in a recreation they trailed from opening tip to remaining horn.

Orlando was on level defensively, taking part in its regular powerful model of ball. However when the Magic needed to rating, that’s when issues went astray.

“Once you go 19 of 30 on free throws and eight for 37 on 3-pointers, it’s exhausting to make up floor,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley stated. “We dangle our hat on protection, and holding a group to 97 factors is an effective job. The query is, how will we clear up among the issues on offense for the following recreation?”

One of many league’s youngest groups, Orlando lacks playoff expertise. However that wasn’t almost as massive an element because the Magic’s incapability to place the ball within the basket.

Beginning guards Jalen Suggs (4 of 16) and Gary Harris (0 of 6) went a mixed 4 of twenty-two, together with 1 of 12 on 3s. Cole Anthony was 0 for 7 and Markelle Fultz 0 for 4, that means Orlando’s backcourt was 4 for 33 from the sector.

In his playoff debut, All-Star ahead Paolo Banchero was 9 of 17 from the ground in 41 minutes, however he offset a good capturing efficiency with 9 turnovers, one shy of the franchise postseason document.

“I assumed I performed OK, however I used to be unfastened with the ball,” Banchero stated. “I used to be tremendous anxious, tremendous excited. I had 9 of our 12 turnovers — and I don’t plan to do this ever once more. It’s the primary recreation of the playoffs, so we form of anticipated to have these miscues and errors.”

“We’re locked in. You may’t overreact from one recreation.”

Regardless of their atrocious capturing, the Magic reduce a 20-point deficit to 9 within the fourth quarter however both couldn’t give you the massive cease after they wanted one or get a shot to fall.

“We weren’t taking part in our greatest basketball, however we have been nonetheless within the recreation,” stated Franz Wagner, who scored 18. “For essentially the most half, I assumed we made the correct performs. We’ve got to make pictures to win, and I’m assured we’ll try this the following recreation.”