The Orlando Magic were not playing their best basketball on Easter Sunday, but a big fourth quarter fueled them to victory.
The Orlando Magic were able to log an Easter Sunday win after beating the New Orleans Pelicans, 112-108. Afterward, Magic coach Jamahl Mosley reacted to his team’s win.
“Well, we needed all of it tonight, you know,” Mosley said. “I think that was it. We talked about finding a way to win the game and then that's what these guys did. There was eight minutes left in the game and the guys talked about 'forget what happened before shots made; shots missed, can we defend the right way and you know, can we have our assignments down pat?'
“And I think these guys communicated, they talked to each other with that and I think that's just big for the group.”
The Magic trailed by seven points heading into the fourth quarter but managed to outscore New Orleans 31-20 in the final period to escape with a win. A large contributor to Orlando's victory was its ability to secure offensive rebounds and a dominant 24-5 advantage in second chance points.
“I think that's just big for the group,” Mosley said. “I mean, it's always a possession battle. I mean whether we're taking care of the ball or turning it over; the offensive rebounds, keeping them off the glass, I think those are huge, you know, 50 points in the paint for them, 48 for us, but I think it's always gonna come down to the possession battle and that's what this game was.”
Mosley also praised Desmond Bane, who scored 14 points in the fourth quarter and led the way for his team overall with 27 points.
“He's just, he's the ultimate professional,” Mosley said. “I've said it, and I think that's why. you know, he should win the Teammate of the Year Award, because of what he is for this team, what he is for each guy.
“The leadership that he possesses; and then in games like making the right play at the right time, I think that's gonna be — it's always going to be key for us and he's somebody that's always willing to step into those moments.”
Orlando has now won its last two games, both of which were on the road after an ugly loss to the Atlanta Hawks at home on April 1. With only four games remaining in the regular season, Mosley wants to see multiple things from his team.
“I'd like us to continue to rise up playing better basketball; our best basketball down the stretch,” he said. “You know, we've got four left, and the ability to get our defense lined up the way it needs to be, offensively, the ball clicking; the ball popping, you know, I think we were trying to share it.
“I mean, it's hard to do when you know, you shoot 7-33 from three, but finding a way to get the win despite that and then obviously 69% from the free throw line. All those little margins are gonna be huge down the stretch for us.”
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