Although the Magic have only played seven games, they’ve struggled in the third quarter, according to the data.
Orlando will need to put together a stronger performance in the third frame to compete with the Atlanta Hawks, who are one of the best teams in that quarter, Thursday when the sides meet for the NBA Mexico City Game 2023 (Bally Sports Florida, 9:30 p.m.).
The Magic’s net rating of minus-21.8 in third quarters is fourth-worst in the NBA. This doesn’t just indicate that they aren’t making shots, but this makes it easier for the opponent to score because often it isn’t facing a set defense that can get properly matched up off made bakets.
Missed jump shots — sometimes leading to long rebounds — also can ignite fast breaks against the Magic which lead to higher-percentage looks.
The Hawks (4-3) have a net rating of plus-14.7 in the third quarter.
The second-best third quarter team in the league? The Dallas Mavericks, who overwhelmed Orlando after halftime on Monday at Amway Center en route to a 15-point win.
The Magic, who led most of the first half and by as many as 15 points, were dominant despite Dallas shooting 50%. They also outrebounded the Mavs 20-10 and made 59% of their own attempts, getting up six more shots.
They opened on a 10-2 run in the third but everything quickly changed.
Orlando’s 17 third-quarter points were the lowest of the season in any 12-minute stretch. The Magic only did slightly better in the fourth with 19 points. Meanwhile, Dallas scored 33 and 31 to close strong.
“To be honest with you, the game wasn’t over in the third quarter,” Magic center Moe Wagner said. “I remember looking up with five minutes to go and we were down two. Those are close games.”
Beede’s breakdown: How Magic came up short at home vs. Mavericks
After recording 20 first-half assists, Orlando totaled just seven in the second half, including three in the third quarter when it shot 7-for-24 as Dallas packed the paint to take away the paint and eliminated seams for Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner to attack.
Missing rotation players Wendell Carter Jr., Markelle Fultz, Gary Harris and Jonathan Isaac with injuries put a strain on the bench. But playing just two quarters of solid basketball isn’t enough to win consistently in the NBA.
It’s something Mosley wants to avoid moving forward.
“They put their foot on the gas and we allowed shot making or missing to impact our defense, which we know that’s not who we are,” he said. “Whether we’re making or missing shots, our defense has to sit down and guard.”
Wagner wanted to remind his teammates to continue to play hard. It’s still too early enough for data points to become trends of a team, too.
“We can’t put our heads down,” he said. “That’s part of being young as well [which is] to learn from that. Even though we were up, then you’re down, and it feels like you lost already, no. We’ve got to keep fighting.”
Email Jason Beede at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com or follow him on X, also known as Twitter, at @therealBeede.
![Magic rookie Anthony Black made his fourth start Tuesday night against the Nets. His teammates have noticed his confidence on the court. "I do like [that] he's got a little feistiness to him," Orlando center Moe Wagner said. "He talks a little smack sometimes which I like."](https://www.orlandosentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Magic-Nets-Basketball.jpg?w=525 "Magic rookie Anthony Black made his fourth start Tuesday night against the Nets. His teammates have noticed his confidence on the court. \"I do like [that] he's got a little feistiness to him,\" Orlando center Moe Wagner said. \"He talks a little smack sometimes which I like.\"")
