Orlando Magic: 3 takeaways from 2018-19 season opener
By Chris Murch
2. Bench comes up big
The bench came up huge, actually. While every starter (minus Gordon) for the Magic posted a negative plus/minus, the bench all posted double-digit positives in that category. While no one had a particularly flashy scoring night off the bench, the defense was better, the offensive flow was better and the energy on the floor was better.
It showed with the runs the team went on in every quarter. While the starters had a hard time getting in a groove offensively, Jerian Grant managed the offense well and attacked the rim. Bamba had several put-back dunks that electrified the crowd and Simmons was able to hustle, do the dirty work and hit some jumpers.
Ross randomly had four blocks, a career high, including two in a row on Whiteside that got the crowd hyped. If he can provide stellar defense night in and night out, he’ll be one of the more important players on this team given that he can go off offensively as well.
The funny thing is, the bench didn’t even shoot that well, going 15-for-35 from the floor and only hitting one 3. The energy they brought to the floor, however, was biting and they definitely had the biggest impact on the floor. The Grant-Ross-Simmons-Gordon-Bamba lineup was both fun to watch and effective. Hopefully head coach Steve Clifford realizes this and plays this group a little more going forward.