By Josh CohenMarch 9, 2016
STRENGTH
While they didn’t demonstrate this during Tuesday’s loss in Los Angeles, the Magic have generally been a very unselfish and collaborative team this season. They average more than 23 assists per game, which ranks seventh in the NBA. They had a streak of 13 games prior to the loss to the Lakers in which they dished out at least 20 assists. WATCH:
STRUGGLE
While they’ve made a concerted effort to take more threes this season (averaging three more this year than last), the Magic are still a very erratic 3-point shooting team. Over the last 15 games, they are shooting just 32 percent from beyond the arc. This is not necessarily a surprise considering several of the team’s young players (Victor Oladipo, Elfrid Payton and Aaron Gordon) have never been known for their outside shooting ability. WATCH:
STRENGTH
In recent weeks, the Magic have played at a much faster pace and have used their athleticism to excel in transition. Over the last 10 games, Orlando has averaged nearly 17 fast break points per game (ranks eighth in league during this stretch) and 21.4 points off turnovers per game (ranks No. 1 over last 10 games). WATCH:
STRUGGLE
The Magic have a tendency to get lost when opponents are razor sharp with their movement and spacing. This leads to an abundance of wide-open 3-point attempts for the opposition. Over the last 15 games, Orlando has allowed opponents to shoot 40 percent from 3-point distance and make nearly 10 threes per game. WATCH:
STRENGTH
As a team, the Magic are good instinctually and have terrific hands and reaction time. These attributes are the reason Orlando comes up with as many steals as it does. Over the last 15 games, the Magic have averaged 9.3 steals per game, which ranks sixth best in the NBA. WATCH:
STRUGGLE
The Magic have been fouling way too much lately. There was a recent five-game stretch in which opponents attempted more than 30 free throws in four of those contests. And while it has been more aggressive initiating contact lately to draw its own fouls, Orlando still ranks last in the league FT attempts. WATCH: