With NBA's Best Fourth-Quarter Defense, Magic Know Their Time Is Coming

The Orlando Magic own the NBA's top-ranked defense in the fourth quarter. With that asset in their back pocket, the Magic feel they "can stay with any team in the league night in and night out."

Indiana Pacers forward Jarace Walker (5) shoots the ball over Orlando Magic guard Anthony Black (0) during the second half at Kia Center. / Mike Watters-Imagn Images

ORLANDO, Fla. – The situation? Strength versus strength. The Indiana Pacers, the NBA's second-best shooting team, had 12 minutes to preserve a four-point lead against the Orlando Magic's second-ranked defense.

What was at stake? A 2-1 series advantage between two rivals expected to compete for Eastern Conference playoff positions.

Something would have to give. It would be the Pacers.

Miss. Miss. Turnover. Miss. Miss. Miss. Turnover. Miss. Miss. Miss. Turnover.

In the opening 4 minutes 34 seconds of the fourth quarter, the Magic turned a four-point deficit into a nine-point lead. The Magic would win 94-90, their fourth consecutive victory. The Pacers, who three nights earlier dropped 132 on the New York Knicks, became the fourth straight Orlando opponent to fail to reach 100 points.

When it mattered most, the NBA's best fourth-quarter defense shut down another offense.

"It's so contagious," Jonathan Isaac said of the feeling when the Magic piece together stretches like that one. "What's so great is that you can feel the momentum coming on. When one guys gets one stop and you just feel that energy, and it's almost like I can sense, 'Hey, this is about to be our run and we can get stops.'

"Shots are going to fall eventually," he added. "We struggled early on, but shots started to fall toward the end of the game, and that's all we need. With defense like that and shots falling, I think we can stay with any team in the league night in and night out."

Indiana finished the quarter 5-for-19 and was turned over seven times for 10 Magic points. As it did in Wednesday night's four-point victory, Orlando's offense often endures shooting lulls and turnover issues. But the team takes solace in knowing that its suffocating defense can hijack a result at a moment's notice.

Through 13 games, the Magic have done just that. They possess the NBA's best fourth-quarter defense by a wide margin:

• #1 average point differential (+3.8)
• #1 opponent FG% (38.5) and opponent eFG% (44.5)
• #3 opponent 3PT% (29.6)
• Fewest average points allowed (22.7)
• #1 net rating (16.1, Oklahoma City second at 11.1)
• #1 defensive rating (93.1, OKC second at 100.0)

The Magic's ability to string together stops brings about a good feeling, Anthony Black said, knowing that frustration is mounting from the opposition. Orlando talks about forcing teams to a breaking point, where everything boils over from relentless pressure.

A defense that flies everywhere, as coach Jamahl Mosley said postgame Wednesday, affords the Magic the ability to win ugly games. While he'd prefer smoother sailing, gutsy performances define a team that isn't afraid to bring a fight to an opponent.

"That's what [this defense] is," Mosley said. "We're gonna hold our feet to the fire to defend the right way."

That mentality is the ticket to playing time in the Magic rotation. Regardless of unit or scenario, the five on the floor are expected to uphold Orlando's defensive standard. The reason Jalen Suggs spent all 12 fourth-quarter minutes on the floor despite a 2-of-15 shooting night? The two steals he earned by not disengaging because of poor offense.

Anthony Black also played the whole fourth period, producing three steals, a block and all six of his points. Isaac grabbed five boards and had one of his three rejections.

As the Magic have adjusted without top scorer and playmaker Paolo Banchero, the offense still searches for consistency. But as the players have grown comfortable in that reality, Orlando's defense more often than not extends the leash for the Magic.

A rested Indiana team — the Magic's third game in four nights — was their toughest test yet.

"I almost can't say enough about the resiliency, the energy, the mindset of these guys," Isaac said. "With that, I feel like we can go as far as we want to."

Friday night's homestand finale brings perennial All-Stars Paul George and Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers, another Eastern Conference rival expected to compete for a playoff berth.

Related Stories on the Orlando Magic

• MAGIC'S NEW CITY EDITION UNIFORMS UNVEILED: The Orlando Magic's new City Edition uniforms will debut on November 23 and be worn 14 times this year. The look continues the theme of a 'Kingdom on the Rise.' CLICK HERE
• MAGIC ASSIGN HOUSTAN TO G LEAGUE, THEN RECALL HIM: 2022 second-round draft pick Caleb Houstan spent time with the Osceola Magic Thursday morning, then was recalled Thursday afternoon. CLICK HERE
• MAGIC-PACERS RECAP: The Magic's fourth-quarter defense Orlando through to victory over Indiana Wednesday night. CLICK HERE
• 'STEADY' GOGA PROVIDING IMPACT: Goga Bitadze could've gone anywhere this summer, but he returned to the Orlando Magic. Now he is fulfilling various roles, including the starting center position as of late, and the Magic are reaping the benefits of Bitadze's impact. CLICK HERE
• WAGNER'S GROWTH INTO NO. 1 OPTION CRITICAL: Without Paolo Banchero in the fold due to injury, the Magic's ability to stay afloat is led by Franz Wagner. His comfort in that role is crucial. CLICK HERE
• MAGIC'S NEEDED HOMESTAND: Orlando has a five-game stretch of opportunities to take advantage of at the Kia Center, where they'll need to rectify their shooting woes and change their fortune. CLICK HERE
• MAGIC'S 2024-25 SCHEDULE: See the complete slate for the Orlando Magic in 2024-25 and all the details – dates, locations, TV, tip times, and more – that you need to know. CLICK HERE

Want more Orlando Magic coverage on Sports Illustrated?

Follow 'Orlando Magic on SI' on Facebook and like our page. Follow Magic beat reporter Mason Williams on Twitter/X @mvsonwilliams. Also, bookmark our homepage so you never miss a story.