Orlando Magic: 3 takeaways from 2017-18 season opener
By Randy Porga
2. Shooting well for one of the worst shooting teams during 2016-17
The Orlando Magic were the among the worst teams in the league all around in shooting the ball last season. For the 2016-17 regular season they finished 28th in the league in field goal percentage, 29th in 3-point percentage and 25th in free throw percentage.
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In any case, the Orlando Magic certainly conquered those numbers in their season opener. Only one player who played for the Magic shot for less than 45 percent from the field (Aaron Gordon) and five of seven players who went to the free throw line shot for 80 percent or better.
It is pretty hard to argue against those numbers and that being said, if this can be the kind of production to be expected from the Magic, then they’re just as much of a wildcard in the Eastern Conference as anybody else.
From beyond the arc, the efforts were led by Evan Fournier shooting 3-for-5 from downtown on 23 points for the evening, as well as Terrence Ross on 3-for-7 from deep with 15 points on the game.
As a team, the Orlando Magic shot for 47.8 percent from the field and 8-for-21 from 3-point range (38.1 percent), both better marks than the Miami Heat.