Magic Major Flaw Highlighted in Loss vs. Cavaliers
ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic is coming back down to earth after a 126-99 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night at the Kia Center.
A 27-point loss certainly is alarming, but a glance at the box score could lead to the reason behind the defeat. The Cavaliers shot 20 of 38 from beyond the 3-point line, good for 52.6 percent from distance. They made nine more 3-pointers than the Magic, which builds the 27-point difference between the two teams.
While Orlando shot 37.9 percent from the 3-point line, which is above their season averages, the team didn't have someone with the ability to bring them back into the game with their shotmaking.
The Magic is dead last in the NBA with a 34.1 percent clip from the 3-point line this season, but perhaps that could lead to the team's desires at the NBA Trade Deadline, which comes in less than three weeks' time.
Orlando won't take their poor 3-point shooting as an excuse, and coach Jamahl Mosley will always want the Magic to hang their hat on the defensive end. However, adding some 3-point shooting will give the Magic some balance.
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Finding the right player that will improve their 3-point shooting without sacrificing anything on the defensive end will be a challenge, because Orlando wants to maintain their defense-first identity. However, if the Magic wants to push into the playoff picture, finding some shooting is paramount.
The NBA Trade Deadline is set for Thursday, Feb. 8.