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Orlando Magic: 3 key areas of growth in 2018-19

By Luke Duffy

The Orlando Magic's D.J. Augustin, middle, is congratulated by teammates Terrence Ross (31) and Evan Fournier (10) after Augustin hit the game-winning basket in the final seconds against the Toronto Raptors during Game 1 in the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Saturday, April 13, 2019. The Magic won, 104-101. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel/TNS via Getty Images)
The Orlando Magic's D.J. Augustin, middle, is congratulated by teammates Terrence Ross (31) and Evan Fournier (10) after Augustin hit the game-winning basket in the final seconds against the Toronto Raptors during Game 1 in the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Saturday, April 13, 2019. The Magic won, 104-101. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel/TNS via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Moving the ball

The Magic struggled offensively throughout the season without a clear superstar to carry the load, but that didn’t mean that they were poor in every area. They were among the most unselfish teams in the league, always moving the ball and making the extra pass for a good look.

The Magic finished fifth in the league in assist percentage (63.2 percent), while also ranking highly in assist ratio as well. In fact, 18.6 percent of their possessions ended in an assist, good for sixth in the league. That combination meant that even when their offensive play went stagnant, they were still able to move the ball and get good looks for players like Evan Fournier and Terrence Ross.

Augustin was invaluable here, always looking to set his teammates up for good looks and get different players going. It’s ironic that he hit their biggest shot of the season in that Game 1 win over the Toronto Raptors, given that setting up others was what he excelled at.

https://twitter.com/OrlandoMagic/status/1126577580344168448

Vucevic was important here too, averaging a career-high 3.8 assists per game from the center position. The franchise will have to work hard over the offseason to ensure that these impressive passing numbers were not a one-off, however. Vooch is an unrestricted free agent, while Augustin may see his role change with the introduction of Markelle Fultz.

Of all the areas of growth throughout the season, this was the most pleasantly surprising and unexpected one. It was also one born out of necessity; without that superstar on the roster, they had to do everything by committee and it showed. The drawback with this particular one, however, is that it represents the biggest chance of regressing next season, depending on which players return.

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