The Orlando Magic are looking to bounce back after a listless and desultory performance against the Toronto Raptors in Game 2 of the teams' first-round Eastern Conference matchup.
After a thrilling Game 1 win against the Toronto Raptors in which D.J. Augustin went off – erupting for 25 points on only 13 shooting possessions – and logged the game-winning three-pointer with under two seconds to go, Game 2 was a different story entirely.
The Magic got waxed by 29 points, and it seemed like an even bigger defeat than that as Orlando looked disjointed and completely befuddled offensively at times. Veteran guard Evan Fournier, though, believes the Magic's issues were more self-inflicted than forced by Toronto.
“We beat ourself really,” he said, per Philip Rossman-Reich of Orlando Magic Daily. “They were more aggressive and they did a good job, don’t get me wrong. But we really beat ourselves as far as the spacing and moving the ball and bodies. We have to help each other.”
Certainly, the second game in the series could’ve been a blip, as the Magic really did play well to end the season, as coach Steve Clifford felt compelled to remind his team after the game.
“I told them today, I still don’t think we understand how good a team we can be when we play well,” Clifford said in the piece. “These last 30 games, it wasn’t like we had some easy schedule. Our guys have played very well both at home and on the road. I think they know when we do what we’re supposed to do, we have a way to play, we can play well. I’m not sure they give themselves enough credit for the team we have become.”
Game 3 is on Friday in Orlando.
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