While almost half of them came from DeMarcus Cousins, the Kings man in the middle that the Magic had no answer for all night, the rest of the Kings got there more than the entire Magic team did combined.
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The Magic (6-6) won 104-101 in overtime against Minnesota on Wednesday despite shooting 37.3 percent. Sacramento led by as many as nine points late in the second quarter.
They’ve shot 39.1 percent or worse in three victories but hold opponents to 42.3 to rank among the league leaders. Fournier is averaging 19.4 points compared to 12.0 in 2014-15, the seventh-largest increase in the National Basketball Association this season.
Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) goes up to shoot against… That five minute run was one of the best offensive stretches that Sacramento has had this season, and it was led by excellent passing that produced seven assists on eight made baskets.
Following the game, coach Scott Skiles said that part of decreasing the opponents free throw attempts is defending without fouling. That’s what I’m trying to do. “I’m not really trying to send messages (to Vucevic) or anything”, Skiles told reporters.
Orlando’s bench also struggled, though, going 12 of 36 from the floor. Cousins was hit with the one-game ban for hitting Atlanta’s Al Horford in the head with his forearm on Wednesday. Omri Casspi had 11 points and 11 rebounds off the bench for Sacramento, who were without Rudy Gay due to a strained left shoulder.
“Our two superstars were out but guys stepped up when needed”, Rajon Rondo said. “You get paid on wins, and in my opinion, we haven’t gotten enough wins”. The Kentucky product narrowly missed his fifth triple-double in seven games when he collected 14 points, 18 assists and nine rebounds at Miami and has handed out double-digit assists in each of the last seven contests while regularly playing over 40 minutes.
Winderman noted that a consideration of a Whiteside trade “might make sense” for Miami, considering the team’s offseason plans “from Dwyane Wade to Tyler Johnson to even utilizing various exceptions, including their trade exceptions”.
“I don’t think I was as aggressive as I usually am, but that’s just kind of how the game went”, Cousins said. “He’s back to proving that”.
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As both Skiles and Vucevic hinted at, the Magic need to find ways to still play their physical brand of defense, but not foul.
