Orlando Magic: 3 takeaways from Game 3 loss vs. Raptors

1. Feed Jonathan Isaac more minutes

Evan Fournier was 0-for-9 from the field and 0-for-5 from 3-point range when he hit his first field goal of the night, a 24-foot bomb from downtown to pull Orlando within seven points with less than four minutes to play. It was a crucial shot, but it was honestly surprising he even got the chance to take it given his struggles to that point.

There’s nothing wrong with a head coach believing in his players; it’s the very reason Jamal Murray helped the Denver Nuggets avoid falling into an 0-2 hole with his fourth quarter explosion in Game 2.

However, Fournier clearly didn’t have it going in Game 3, and as Steve Clifford continued to reward him with late-game minutes, the Frenchman missed a key triple on the very next possession that could’ve brought the Magic within four.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Isaac, who was having one of the best games of his young career and is intrinsic to the team’s defensive identity, was riding the bench.

Isaac didn’t blow up the scoring column on Friday, but he filled out the stat sheet nicely with 14 points, seven boards, two steals and two blocks. Yet he was the only starter who didn’t play at least 30 minutes.

He only shot 4-for-11 from the field and 2-for-7 from deep, but his defense was crucial throughout the night, helping hold Kawhi Leonard (5-of-19 shooting, six turnovers) in check. He might have been useful in slowing Siakam down on what turned out to be a career night too.

Isaac did a little bit of everything in Game 3 and at age 21, it’s been encouraging to see one of the franchise cornerstones step up in a playoff setting. If Fournier or anyone else struggles in a do-or-die Game 4 at home, there will be no excuse for keeping Isaac’s Swiss Army knife potential glued to the bench again.