Philip Rossman-Reich here, the host of the daily Locked On Magic podcast, with your daily Locked On Magic newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Magic and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Orlando Magic boost playoff journey with win over Indiana Pacers
Nov 13, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley during the second quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images|Mike Watters/Mike Watters-Imagn Images
It is only November. The Playoffs are a long way away. We are not even a quarter of the way through the season. It feels impossibly early to think about the standings or the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
The Orlando Magic are probably worried about bigger things themselves. They are still learning to play without Paolo Banchero. The playoffs are ever present but not their first priority. They want to win and find their path.
The two concerns collided in Wednesday’s 94-90 win over the Indiana Pacers. Because even though it is just Nov. 14, the playoffs are ever-present.
That was supposed to be one of the lessons from last year’s team and last year’s run. Every game mattered no matter at what point in the season. They all counted the same.
After all, the Magic made the Playoffs last year and earned the 5-seed because they won the tiebreaker over the Indiana Pacers and won the Southeast Division. Everything mattered in the end.
And that is what makes Wednesday’s win feel much more significant.
Orlando and Indiana have faced each other three times in the season’s first month. Entering Wednesday’s game, the two teams split the first two meetings. Winning Wednesday would give one team a leg up before their final match takes place in the penultimate game of the season for each team in Indianapolis in April.
How everyone figures it, the Magic and Pacers would be locked in another Playoff duel deep into the season. The two up-and-coming young teams have staked a place as one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference.
The team that can win the season series may have a leg up when the season ends. The Magic assured themselves they could not lose the season series thanks to one of their best defensive efforts of the season to date.
Every little thing matters.
It mattered too then that Orlando found a way to win this game. The Magic are still looking for the confidence they can win since Paolo Banchero’s injury. They had feasted on some teams with low expectations — the New Orleans Pelicans, Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets. The Pacers were the first team at .500 they had faced on this homestand. And even Indiana was undermanned.
But the Pacers still had Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam. They still had their stars. And they still had to fight to get this win.
On the second night of a back-to-back, the Magic trailed by 12 points and were struggling to slow down the Pacers early. But they locked in defensively, holding Indiana to 18 points in the fourth quarter to secure the win.
The Magic struggled to score themselves and needed every inch of their defense, including holding Indiana without a point for the first 4.5 minutes of the fourth quarter. That alone was enough to flip the game in the Magic’s favor, helping them go from a four-point deficit to a six-point lead that eventually ballooned to 12.
The win itself was not only a boost to their future playoff hopes, but also a boost to the team’s immediate confidence that they can win without Banchero.
In the short-term then, the Magic’s win brought them to 7-6 and extended their win streak to four games. Orlando is sitting in third in the lackluster Eastern Conference. That is where Orlando hopes to be in the standings at the end of the season.
For now, the Magic proved they can still hang there for the time being. They also locked up an easier path should they need it when they return to Indianapolis in the spring.
Traditionally, press defenses are a weapon of last resort in the NBA, fit only for highly specific scenarios or times of desperation. Professional basketball players simply are too good at passing and dribbling to be susceptible to large doses of full-court press — or so the thinking went. But the thinking, it is a-changin’.
Synergy’s database goes back to the 2008-2009 season, and before last year, only one team had used press on even 5% of their defensive possessions: the 2020-21 Charlotte Hornets.
Last year, however, we saw a notable rise in the press defense, thanks to two teams. The Portland Trail Blazers and Indiana Pacers both beat Charlotte’s mark. Portland led the league by pressing 7.2% of the time, yielding only .94 points per possession (well below their typical defensive rating of 1.04, although that’s not by any means an apples-to-apples comparison), and I predicted that this year, the Blazers — featuring heavy doses of ambulatory fly paper Toumani Camara — would crack 10%.
I had the right idea but the wrong team. Instead, the Pacers are currently pressing 11.9% of the time, followed closely by Brooklyn’s 11.5% (the Blazers come in third, with a still historically high 8.4%). In retrospect, Indiana’s surging interest in the press shouldn’t be a huge surprise — they picked up full-court on nearly a quarter of their possessions in last year’s playoffs. That’s insane!
They haven’t been quite that extreme this year, but look at this graph of every team’s percentage of defensive possessions in press defense:
Six teams in total are pressing more than 5% of the time. 22 of the league’s 30 teams are pressing more this year than last (with the caveat that we’re talking about a couple dozen possessions or fewer for many of these teams), and this is by far the most press we’ve seen since the data became available. Given the weaknesses we mentioned in the opening paragraph, why is the press gaining popularity?
Mike Shearer (@bballispoetry) has written about the NBA full-time since 2021 at various and sundry places. For more from Mike, check out his Substack bestseller, Basketball Poetry, where he uses unnecessary metaphors and the occasional haiku to discuss the NBA’s happenings with an analytical lens.
Home and Away
Analysis Sam Vecenie of the Athletic breaks down how this year’s rookies have started. I don’t agree with all of his picks, but he’s always thoughtful with his selections and insightful with his analysis. (NY Times, Subscription required)
Personnel HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto goes behind the scenes with the Indiana Pacers’ coaching staff. Mostly, you get a better appreciation for how little coaches sleep!
Must Read Jared Dubin investigates the rise in dunks over time for his newsletter “Last Night, In Basketball.” It’s a fun, breezy read! (Last Night, Subscription required)
Must Read A great look into how the Magic are not just surviving, but thriving without star Paolo Banchero. (The Athletic, subscription required)
Analysis Another reason? The team’s shutdown defense is stifling opponents night after night. (Orlando Magic Daily)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Wednesday’s Notable Fantasy Basketball Performances
Nov 13, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (9) shoots the ball against Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (23) during the first half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-Imagn Images|Photo By Soobum Im/Soobum Im-Imagn Images
In the ever-evolving world of fantasy basketball, keeping an eye on emerging talents and consistent performers is key to maintaining a competitive edge. Let’s delve into the standout performances of three young guns, as well as the continued dominance of Giannis, and explore their potential impact on your fantasy lineup.
Donovan Clingan: A Rising Star?
Donovan Clingan’s recent performance has caught the attention of fantasy managers everywhere. With 31 minutes on the court, Clingan delivered an impressive stat line of 17 points, 12 rebounds, and a staggering eight blocks. His ability to dominate the paint and contribute defensively makes him a valuable asset, especially with the uncertainty surrounding Deandre Ayton’s injury status. While Clingan’s long-term role remains uncertain, his current form makes him a must-add in fantasy leagues, particularly for those in need of blocks and rebounds.
Jared McCain: Rookie on the Rise
Jared McCain has quickly become a hot topic in fantasy circles, thanks to his explosive performance in the absence of key players like Paul George and Joel Embiid. McCain’s 34-point game, complete with six three-pointers and 10 assists, showcases his potential as a high-usage player. While his current role is bolstered by injuries to teammates, McCain’s talent is undeniable. Fantasy managers should consider adding him to their rosters, but remain cautious about his long-term value once the team’s stars return.
Click the button below to see how Giannis continues to be a fantasy force, and why for Victor Wembanyama, the future is now.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Magic podcasts.
How the Orlando Magic’s got their groove back... or never lost it A week ago, the Orlando Magic were about as low as they could be as they struggled to figure out life without Paolo Banchero. They were on a five-game losing streak. Their homestand has been a turning point as the team has rediscovered their joy, locked in on defense, made a few shots and won convincingly in three straight games.
NBA Cup Preview: Orlando Magic have something to prove without Paolo Banchero The NBA Cup has arrived. Unlike last year, the Orlando Magic are an established team with playoff experience. The NBA Cup may not hold the same potential for significance for this growing team this time around, especially with Paolo Banchero out.
Orlando Magic’s offensive improvement: Why winning in the margins matter The Orlando Magic’s offense has found a lift in the last three games, capped off with a 121-94 win over the Washington Wizards on Sunday. While the team is starting to find its three-point fortune again, the game was won on the margins with the team’s ability to get offensive rebounds, second-chance points and score off turnovers.
