Asked before the game how his Magic (9-20) were staying positive in the face of a three-game losing streak and a five-game skid at the Amway Center, Vaughn didn’t blink when repeating what he’s told to his players.
``This is a hard business; it’s hard to win basketball games. We’ve talked about that you have to earn these games,’’ Vaughn said unflinchingly. ``Your approach every day adds up and you have to earn winning in this league, We’ll continue to try to put money in the bank by working every day and hopefully that produces for us.’’
It certainly did on Friday night because the Magic placed five players in double digits in scoring and shot a scorching 52.9 percent from the floor. Arron Afflalo played through a sprained ankle and poured in another 23 points, while Oladipo was in attack mode all night with 16 points and a career-best 11 assists.
``Man, I love throwing assists and getting my teammates buckets,’’ said Oladipo, whose 11 assists broke his previous high of 10 set late last month during a triple-double effort in Philadelphia. ``I thrive off my teammates when they do well just like they thrive off me when I do well. It’s just about me being patient, letting the game come to me and finding my teammates where they are comfortable.’’
Tobias Harris, playing his seventh straight game following a serious ankle injury, had 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Glen ``Big Baby’’ Davis got off to a fast start and chipped in 14 points.
Orlando improved to 5-6 this season when it scores at least 100 points. Conversely, the Magic are 0-14 when the foe scores 100 points. On this night, Vaughn was delighted with the grit the Magic showed defensively and the unselfishness they showed in sharing the ball.
``We had a really good practice (Thursday) – pretty intense for this time of the year – and that has to be our signature. We have to come to work,’’ Vaughn said. ``I always tell them, `I don’t know what results that will lead to wins and losses-wise, but you can look yourself in the mirror, appreciate what you do for a living and you teammates appreciate you when you come to work.’’
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