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Orlando Magic: 3 goals for upcoming trip to Mexico

By Luke Duffy

DALLAS, TX - DECEMBER 10: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic makes his entrance during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on December 10, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - DECEMBER 10: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic makes his entrance during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on December 10, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Orlando Magic
Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images /

2. Improve offensively

Right now, the Magic have an offensive rating of 105.1, the fourth-worst mark in the league. This isn’t surprising however, as they have been around this area all season. What is helping them dramatically is their team assist numbers.

Orlando averages 25.7 assists per game, which is good for sixth in the NBA. In the team’s last two games however, they scored only 90 points against the Indiana Pacers, and a season-low 76 against the Mavericks.

Shots just weren’t falling in particular against the Mavs, with the Magic shooting 36 percent from the field on the night. It was what happened while they were struggling that was more concerning, however.

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Players began deviating from the success they have had offensively this season by passing the ball fluidly, and instead took it upon themselves to try and shoot the Magic back into the game.

Ross has been great all year and we’re not here to pick on him, but he was 3-for-11 from the field (and 0-for-3 from deep) on the way to finishing the game with seven points. His shot selection was questionable at best.

So what the Magic need to do once they get to Mexico is get back to playing the unselfish brand of basketball that has brought them such success at times this season. They are a league average 3-point shooting team now (35.2 percent), and that is because of the movement without the ball and willingness to give up a good shot for a great one.

Something else that may help the Magic discover what makes them tick offensively is the defensive rating of their opponents. The Jazz (107.4, 12th in the league) are only slightly better than the Magic (108.4, 15th), while the Bulls are languishing behind (110.8, 23rd).

Again we come back to that game against Chicago, which not only looks like a good bet to break Orlando’s three-game losing streak, but to regain some form and confidence on the offensive end as well.

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