What Jamahl Mosley, Franz Wagner, Goga Bitadze Said After Magic's 2OT Loss to Miami

Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley, forward Franz Wagner and Goga Bitadze spoke to reporters in Miami following the Magic's 2OT loss to the Heat. "We gave the game away," Wagner said.
Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley reacts from the sideline against the Miami Heat during the first quarter at Kaseya Center.
Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley reacts from the sideline against the Miami Heat during the first quarter at Kaseya Center. / Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

MIAMI – The Orlando Magic dropped their Monday night matchup with the Miami Heat 125-119 in double overtime.

MORE: Magic Squander Late Leads, Lose in Double Overtime to Heat

After the game, Magic coach Jamahl Mosley, forward Franz Wagner and center Goga Bitadze met reporters to discuss the loss.

Below is a partial transcript for each session and a link to the video:

Jamahl Mosley

On what let Miami back into the game with six minutes to play in regulation...

"Defensively, I think there was a couple breakdowns [in] lines of communication. We've got to be better there [about] communicating exactly where we are in certain situations. I think [Miami] did a great job with their physicality. Again, this game comes down to a lot of things, and I think that it boils down to the small things in the game. We talked about it at halftime, it was going to be a close game because of the way in which it has been in this series and the way in which they play. You can't go 15-25 from the free throw line and turn it over 15 times for 29 points and give away free baskets. So I think it comes down to that last stretch, but it's also the minor possessions in the game that get you there."

On the faith he had in the group on the floor in the second OT as fatigue set in...

"I think in those moments, it becomes difficult to throw a different body in there because of rhythm, flow [and] the timing of the game. I think those guys tried to do their best in those moments of communicating with each other. Was their fatigue a factor? A little bit, but at the same time, so was Miami. They knocked some shots down down the stretch, and our ability to communicate down the stretch – we've got to continue to improve on that. This is one of those bumps that you talk about hitting. You just wish it didn't hit this way in a loss. But our ability to bounce back, watch it and understand exactly where we can improve in these moments."

Franz Wagner

On the message to the team collectively after the loss...

We gave the game away. We had multiple chances in regulation and in the first overtime. Down the stretch, I think we struggled offensively, but at the end of the day, it's offensive rebounds [and] bad communication during stretches of the game, not just in those last couple minutes. We've just got to be a little bit better on both sides of the floor."

Goga Bitadze

On how it felt to rejoin team and his performance...

"It felt good to be out there with my teammates and my brothers. We didn't get the win. It would've been so much better to get the win [and] go back home happy, but it happens. I think we let this game get away, and it happened in like one minute. The energy shifted and they made some shots as well. It's rough, but it felt good to be out there."

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