Sports

Magic fall to the Clippers 100-97 for third straight loss

Orlando, FL – The Orlando Magic (42-31) lost to the Los Angeles Clippers (46-27) 100-97 at a sold-out Kia Center on Friday night.

Orlando, Florida, USA, March 29, 2024, Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero #5 attempt to make a basket but is fouled at the Kia Center. (Photo Credit: Marty Jean-Louis)

Orlando, in one of the team’s best-ever seasons, is still fighting for their final playoff position but has lost three straight games against playoff teams from the Western Conference.

Orlando had Gary Harris and Caleb Houston back on the floor from the injury list, while Markelle Fultz was held out for the first game of a back-to-back, as per the Magic’s usual routine.

Kawhi Leonard took over the game at many points, ensuring that LA would be in a position to win, scoring a game-high 29 points against Orlando.

Paolo Banchero, despite once again being held to a low-scoring first half, managed 23 points in the game with eight rebounds but gave up seven assists as well.

“I was able to get better, play some defense, get some dunks and stuff,” said Banchero. “But I’ve got to be better overall – in all aspects. I’ve got to find a way to start better. I don’t like how I’m playing right now, so I’ve got to just go work on it.”

Orlando, Florida, USA, March 29, 2024, Los Angeles Clippers guard Russell Westbrook #0 faces Jalen Suggs #4 during the first half at the Kia Center. (Photo Credit: Marty Jean-Louis)

Orlando improved their free-throw shooting from 54% against the Warriors on Wednesday to 74% on Friday, helping improve their chances.

But, alas, then there are the turnovers. Orlando committed 17 turnovers resulting in 15 points for LA.

The Clippers came into town with a lineup of killers, with Leonard, Paul George, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook. George scored 12 points in the game, Harden went three for twelve in field goals for 11 points, and Westbrook was ineffective with five points, three assists, and three rebounds.

For Orlando, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs scored 13 and 15 points respectively, while Cole Anthony scored 12 in the game.

The Clippers jumped out in front of the Magic in the first quarter, concentrating on limiting Banchero and Franz Wagner while focusing on their three-point shooting, and managed to take an 8-point lead in the first quarter.

Orlando, Florida, USA, March 29, 2024, Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard #2 wins the rebound at the Kia Center. (Photo Credit: Marty Jean-Louis)

Jonathan Isaac made his presence known with his high-energy defense, blocking shots and making life difficult inside.

Orlando regrouped and started to get stops, and their shots started to fall, and the Magic managed to end the first quarter down 23-19.

In the second quarter, the Clippers attacked Orlando in the paint and started to find success and almost abandoned the deep shots, taking most plays inside and taking advantage of their shooters’ success with mid-range shots.

Orlando managed to get hot in the second quarter from deep, raising their 3-point shooting percentage to 50%, and ending the first half down only 52-50.

The Magic managed to get their first lead since the opening minutes of the fourth quarter and went back and forth with the Clippers, causing 13 lead changes, most of them in the fourth quarter.

With the teams close to tied in the final minutes, LA managed to seal the game with clutch shooting by Leonard and solid defense on the Magic.

It was another lesson about how much each possession and each shot counts and how they need to step up to the task and hit those crucial shots at the end of games.

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