The #Magic outcomes the #Hornets 42-38 in the paint tonight. But… it was 38-32 Hornets through three quarters. Magic were 16/31 in the paint through three quarters. Have to win the paint to win. #Magic just didn’t tonight.
The deep bench made the score look more respectable. But the #Magic were just not good enough. Missed too many shots and let it affect every aspect of their game. The #Hornets made the Magic pay for every mistake.
It went from bad to worse for the #Magic in the third quarter. The #Hornets were unstoppable from three, and the Magic completely let go of the rope. Charlotte leads 110-75 after three quarters.
The two keys to this game were defending the three-point line and controlling the defensive glass. The #Hornets have 8 offensive rebounds (feels like significantly more) and 18 threes including nine in the third quarter.
The #Magic are down 30. The #Hornets just not missing from three. But the #Magic are overplaying everything. Really no defensive principles tonight. Team just looks shellshocked. All the confidence from the weekend is gone.
The #Magic had it down to 16. But the #Hornets are on a three-point binge. And the #Magic cannot keep Diabate off the offensive glass without fouling him. Charlotte is in the bonus already. Really missing Carter's boxout ability tonight.
The #Hornets just seem to have the formula to beat the #Magic. A 38-point second quarter for Charlotte and they outscored Orlando by 17 points. Jamahl Mosley got ejected and seem completely unsettled. Long halftime upcoming to figure things out. Hornets lead 72-53 at halftime.
I don't know if the #Magic are going to win this challenge. But making the referees watch how physical the #Hornets are being on Paolo might put the bug in their mind that he is getting fouled. Magic need something to go right. It's all unraveling again.
The #Magic aren't touching the paint and it really isn't anything the #Hornets are doing right now. Orlando is not attacking. Settling for bad shots all around.
Orlando Magic Daily 🤖