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 have the will to win
Jan 12, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic guard Anthony Black (0) drives to the basket in front of Philadelphia 76ers center Adem Bona (30) during the second half at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images | Mike Watters/Mike Watters-Imagn Images
When the Orlando Magic get to the fourth quarter, it is widely safe to assume they have a good chance to win.
The Magic have the best net rating in the fourth quarter in the league. They are the only team holding opponents to less than a point per possession in the fourth quarter for the season. Orlando has an 11-7 record in clutch situations.
Even this team had to be impressed with the comeback and fourth quarter they pulled off Sunday night. Then again, no one should be surprised by anything this team does anymore.
Down to eight healthy players with Franz Wagner, Moe Wagner, Jalen Suggs, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Jett Howard out before the game and Tristan Da Silva (illness) and Goga Bitadze (right hip contusion) leaving in the first half – and Paolo Banchero playing under a minute restriction in his second game back from his torn right oblique – the Magic rallied from seven down in the fourth quarter.
They had the will to win to defeat the Philadelphia 76ers 104-99, beating the Sixers to loose balls and making the plays down the stretch to win. That is a critical difference between these two injury-plagued teams. Orlando wanted the win more, as cliché as that might sound.
The Magic have that extra bit to win.
“I really feel like if you look grit, toughness and determination in the dictionary, we’re going to be there,” Jonathan Isaac said. “We just put it together. There were times in the game when we went down. Every time they made a shot, we didn’t lose belief that we could win this game. And we went out and we did it.”
Isaac was one of the players who made those critical plays. He grabbed five offensive rebounds on his way to a 20-point, 11-rebound double-double, his first since Dec. 2019. Isaac had several putback dunks and stole an offensive rebound, drawing a foul, to give the Magic the lead for good at the foul line.
It was not just him. Anthony Black was aggressive getting downhill taking a career-high 18 field goals on his way to 17 points. Cole Anthony led the charge in the first half scoring 20 of his 27 points to lift the team.
But the team’s success was seen in little plays.
Plays like Trevelin Queen lifting for a big putback dunk that energized the Kia Center. Or the dunk he had off a pass from Isaac along the baseline.
Then there was Paolo Banchero, of course. After Queen dug out an offensive rebound with the Magic up one, the Magic reset for Banchero on the wing. He calmly nailed an elbow jumper to give the Magic a three-point lead with about 30 seconds to play.
Orlando then clinched the game with a five-second inbounds violation.
That is simply will.
“That was probably one of the most impressive ones that we’ve had,” coach Jamahl Mosley said. “I just told them in the locker room, it’s grit. It’s all about the grit. We’re just relentless. No matter what’s happening in the game, continue to play, continue to fight. Each person stepped up in the right way.”
The Magic have displayed this grit plenty through the first half of their season. They have had to with all the injuries they have faced. The belief they will win is embedded deep within this team.
It is still on full display and something they can count on. It has helped them make fantastic wins like Sunday’s seem regular. Orlando has that innate desire to win and the ability to execute it.
Monday movers: Isaiah Collier and the resilient Pistons
Jan 12, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz guard Isaiah Collier (13) lays the ball up against the Brooklyn Nets during the fourth quarter at Delta Center. | Rob Gray/Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Isaiah Collier
If you thought tracking incremental improvements was just for teams, think again. Jazz rookie Isaiah Collier had himself a game on Sunday, with a career-high 23 points, seven rebounds and assists, plus a block, in 37 minutes on the floor. It was Collier’s longest sustained playing time this season.
I covered Collier over his McDonald’s All-American weekend in April 2023. As a USC signee he was in the shadow of Bronny James, also in the same “McDAAG” class. Collier was quiet, polite, and a little shy off the floor, on the floor, all those traits inverted. When I’ve circled around to check on how Collier’s been doing this season I haven’t been surprised to see him taking a secondary role. Sometimes the best thing for a rookie is to have a working balance between competitive pressure and developing at their own pace. What I have been surprised by is how much Collier, up to now, has been flying under the radar.
He had a sixth-sense for the game in high school, in his knack for passing, knowing where teammates would be, and dictating the pace of the game — a rarer thing for a young athlete. It showed it again in his single season at USC. The Jazz don’t necessarily want Collier to be the one deploying these things, they have Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson, and Keyonte George as a backup for them, but when Collier’s been trusted by the team to handle the ball it’s paid dividends.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Honor The Orlando Magic have launched a week-long volunteerism initiative to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. They are engaging with various community services in Central Florida to celebrate his legacy. Learn more. (Sports Illustrated)
Analysis Despite facing numerous injuries, the Orlando Magic are demonstrating resilience and determination to secure victories. Their unwavering will to win continues to drive their performance. Explore this analysis. (Orlando Magic Daily)
Trade It’s time for the Orlando Magic to consider strategic trades to enhance their roster. One proposed trade could significantly impact team dynamics. Check out the proposed deal. (Bleacher Report)
Watch Roundball Rock is (almost) back. Giannis, Jayson Tatum, and Wemby star in NBC’s NBA promo. (NBC Sports)
Analysis Amid struggles, what’s the end game for the Suns? (NBA.com)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Waiver Wire Wisdom: Navigating Fantasy Basketball’s Ever-Changing Landscape
Jan 12, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Noah Clowney (21) passes the ball away from Utah Jazz forward Cody Williams (5) during the first quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray/Rob Gray-Imagn Images
As we dive into Week 13 of the NBA season, it’s crucial to approach your fantasy basketball strategy with a keen eye on both the present and the future. The key is to play for the short term while keeping long-term potential in mind.
Donovan Clingan is an interesting addition. With Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams out, Clingan started and showed promise. However, his value may be limited when Ayton returns. This could be an opportunity to sell high on Clingan if you believe his current performance isn’t sustainable.
Noah Clowney and Nikola Jovic are two players with more long-term value. Clowney’s minutes may fluctuate, but he’s worth rostering for potential future gains. Jovic, despite coming off the bench, has shown promise and could see consistent minutes moving forward.
Click the button below to see which under-rostered players need to find their way onto your team.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Magic podcasts.
NBA East Squad: Can Defense Save the Orlando Magic Season? The Locked On NBA East Squad panel debates the Orlando Magic’s offensive woes, noting their league-worst three-point shooting percentage and discussing potential trade options to improve their offense without sacrificing their defensive identity. (470)
Orlando Magic hit a road block in their recovery in double OT loss to Miami Heat The Orlando Magic are feeling more whole with Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner back and now Goga Bitadze back in the lineup. But after prolonged absences, they are all still working their way back into playing shape and regaining chemistry with their roster.
Orlando Magic’s Star Duo: Banchero and Wagner’s All-Star Potential The Orlando Magic’s stars in Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner stepped up to lead the Magic to a win over the Detroit Pistons. They took over the game.
