The Orlando Magic’s defense has gone through a slump over the last week, and there are multiple reasons to explain why.
The absences of starting guard Gary Harris and big man Wendell Carter Jr., two of the team’s better defenders, in the last two games have hurt.
“It’s always difficult losing two starters,” guard Cole Anthony said. “Those are two dudes who help our defense greatly. I’m not saying that we still can’t be a good or great defensive team but it’s an adjustment period when you just lose two dudes who are both really good defenders, start [or] play a lot of heavy minutes, and help our team out on the defensive end.”
But even with those absences, the Magic are hurting themselves by committing too many fouls.
Tuesday’s 134-123 home loss to the Milwaukee Bucks — who were without two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and All-star guard Jrue Holiday — was another example of the Magic fouling too much.
“We were a step slow in some areas,” coach Jamahl Mosley said. “Some of the calls obviously you want to look back at, obviously look at on film. But again, we have to do a better job of being in position early, not expecting the calls. We have to earn calls and then show our bodies early so we don’t give them a reason to call them.”
The loss to the Bucks was the second consecutive game the Magic lost the free-throw battle — a battle Orlando usually wins. Milwaukee took 34 free throws to the Magic’s 19, with the Bucks making 32 to Orlando’s 14.
In Sunday’s loss to the Trail Blazers, Portland went 28-of-32 on free throws compared to the Magic’s 24-of-31.
The Magic averaged 22.3 personal fouls (fifth-most) and 27.5 allowed free-throw attempts (third-most) in their four games since the beginning of March.
It’s a significant reason why their defensive rating (points allowed per 100 possessions) of 121 has been the league’s eighth-worst mark during that stretch.
Their defensive rating of 112.6 from December-February was the league’s 7th-best mark. They allowed 23.4 free throw attempts and committed 19.7 fouls during that stretch.
“Fouling and obviously positional defense — having certain guys out — changes the way some coverages are,” Mosley responded when asked what hasn’t been clicking defensively the last few games. “Not having Wendell in the game does change the game a little bit in the pick-and-roll coverage. But again, that’s not an excuse. We’ve just got to continue to tighten it up, have earlier help, guys in position faster, and our level of communication can continue to get better.”
Carter Jr. (left hip pain) is listed as out for Thursday’s home match vs. the Utah Jazz and will miss his third consecutive game.
Admiral Schofield (concussion) is listed as probable.
Harris wasn’t listed on the injury report after missing two games because of a sore left adductor, suggesting he’ll be available against the Jazz.
Carter’s fundraiser
Carter hosted his TopGolf fundraiser benefiting A Platform² Foundation Wednesday evening.
The fundraiser received support from AdventHealth and Lift Sports Management, the agency Carter’s signed to and which was founded by Mike Miller, the former NBA player the Magic drafted with the No. 5 pick out of the University of Florida in 2000.
Carter along with his parents, Wendell Carter Sr. and Kylia Carter, founded the A Platform² Foundation in 2020 with the goal to “create a learning environment that develops well-informed youth and families who will impact and actively engage in their community.”
