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Denton: Magic vs. Bobcats Analysis (1/17/14)

Josh Cohen
Digital News Manager

By John Denton Jan. 17, 2014

ORLANDO – Flat at the beginning of the game and dead by the fourth quarter, the Orlando Magic felt the emotional and physical drain from Wednesday’s marathon game all throughout Friday night.

Other than an inspiring second-quarter run where they briefly took the lead, the Magic had little pizzazz in a game where they desperately needed a victory. Maybe it was the 63-minute, triple-overtime loss to Chicago two nights earlier, but Orlando struggled offensively in the second half and couldn’t keep Charlotte off the free throw line in the fourth quarter of a disappointing 111-101 loss at the Amway Center.

``I think we came out rusty really and everybody’s legs might have been heavy,’’ admitted Magic guard Victor Oladipo, who had played 57 minutes on Wednesday and had just one of his 11 points in Friday’s second half. ``We just came up short. I don’t think anybody in here wants to lose. Nobody is satisfied to lose and we have to do what it takes to win. We have little room for error and right now we’re not good enough to make mistakes.’’

Added Magic forward Tobias Harris, who played 43 minutes on Wednesday, but had 11 of his 18 points in the second half on Friday: ``We didn’t play (Thursday) and had a day off. I’m not one to make excuses, so I’m not going with that one.’’

Orlando (10-30) committed 10 fouls in the fourth quarter alone, allowing Charlotte (17-24) to parade to the free throw line 20 times (with 16 makes) in the final period. The Magic did get within 103-97 in the final 3 minutes on a four-point play by Arron Afflalo, but they followed it up with air-balled threes from Jameer Nelson and Afflalo (twice) to stunt the rally.

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