Rapid Reaction: Magic 89, Bulls 81
By Hector Young | Orlando Sentinel
January 4, 2014
WHAT IT MEANS: It was the first home game for the Magic since the death of assistant GM Gil Brand. In that timespan the Magic lost to the Spurs 91-89, and won against the Cavs 101-90. But this game was emotional from the beginning when a moment of silence was held for Brand and the entire arena was the quietest it's ever been.
After that moment, the game started. The crowd roared like it was the fourth quarter and the Magic came out with energy. They came out on fire. And the Bulls looked more like deer in the headlights.
By the end of the first half the Magic had a six point lead, thanks to the heroics of Shabazz Muhammad, who had 15 first half points and was clearly feeding off the energy of the crowd or something. He was a man possessed and the Bulls double teamed him all game.
The rookie had trouble adjusting to the Bulls in the third quarter, who changed their defensive scheme. So Muhammad did what we're growing accustomed to seeing: he passed the ball. He got others involved but the Bulls went on a hot streak, getting their only lead of the game at the end of the third, 66-65.
That lead would evaporate at the beginning of the fourth quarter thanks to another Muhammad three. The Magic wouldn't look back. They now trail the Heat by a game and half.
WOW MOMENT: The beginning of the fourth quarter. After a clutch three at the end of the third by Luol Deng, Shabazz Muhammad hit a comeback three at the beginning of the fourth, sending the crowd into a frenzy as he beat his chest. The Magic stopped the Bulls on the next three possessions and hit three threes on their next three possessions, including one from fan favorite Andrew Nicholson, who knocked one down from deep three point range. The Bulls momentum died in just a few minutes.
QUOTE OF THE NIGHT: "He would have liked this." Nerlens Noel, commenting on the late Gil Brand. Noel finished with 26 points, 10 boards, and two emphatic rejections. His play in the paint helped keep Noah in foul trouble all night, eventually resulting in Noah being ejected from the game near the beginning of the fourth with six fouls.
EMPTY FIELDS: Despite the overall good team effort from the Magic, tonight's game was another struggle for Landry Fields, who finished with a paltry six points on 3-12 shooting in 36 minutes of play. Fields is having trouble with his shot despite getting wide open looks thanks to the inside play of Noel and Bargnani.
FREE MISSES: The Magic continue to struggle from the free throw line, shooting 69% tonight despite getting to the line 23 times. Surprisingly, Nerlens Noel was the only Magic player to hit all his free throws.
GET OUT: The blocks keep coming for Andrea Bargnani, who had five in this game. Bargnani is quickly developing a more defensive style while continuing to get his points and rebounds. The Magic have to be glad to see Bargani coming along after a shaky start with the team.
LOCKDOWN: Ish Smith continues to display an impressive ability to take star point guards out of the game. Derrick Rose was held to only six points, shooting 3-15 from the floor. Though Smith himself only scored five points and dished out five assists, his ability to take out the best point guard in the league (arguably) and direct the offense without demanding a ton of attention himself is invaluable. There have been rumblings that the Magic may extend Smith's contract or let him go in free agency to make a run at Brandon Jennings, who seems to be ready to get out of Milwaukee. Smith isn't going to make that decision easy.
UP NEXT: Magic at Detroit, Monday at 7:30 p.m. The Magic head back out onto the road and look to continue their march towards the playoffs.
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