Magic’s 3-point Woes Amplify Concerns in Loss to Bulls
The Orlando Magic’s struggles with perimeter shooting resurfaced in a disappointing 110-98 defeat against the Chicago Bulls at the Kia Center, extending their current losing streak. This latest setback has fans and analysts alike questioning the team’s ability to improve on last season’s abysmal performance from beyond the arc, where they finished at the bottom of the league in 3-point shooting.
Offensive Struggles on Display
From the opening tip, it was apparent that the Magic were in for a challenging night offensively. The inconsistency in officiating, compared to their previous game against the Atlanta Hawks, seemed to disrupt their rhythm. Despite these challenges, Orlando managed to stay competitive for much of the contest, trailing by only three points at the end of the third quarter. However, a surge from Chicago in the final period ultimately sealed the game.
The Magic’s shooting percentage hovered just above 39%, a figure that makes securing wins in the NBA a daunting task. Paolo Banchero led the team with 24 points, but his efficiency was lacking, going 7 of 21 from the field. He managed to hit the team’s first 3-pointer, but the rest of the squad struggled to find their range, finishing with a dismal 3 of 24 from long distance.
Anthony Black contributed 19 points, while Franz Wagner and Desmond Bane chipped in with 17 and 14 points, respectively. The Bulls, on the other hand, had a balanced offensive attack, with seven players scoring in double figures. Josh Giddey topped the charts for Chicago with 21 points, supported by Jalen Smith’s 16 and solid contributions from Ayo Dosunmo, Nikola Vucevic, Tre Jones, Patrick Williams, and Kevin Huerter.
Need for Improvement in 3-point Shooting
The Magic’s inability to improve their 3-point shooting has become a significant concern as they look to position themselves as contenders in the Eastern Conference. Their performance against the Bulls highlighted the urgency for growth in this area. The team will need to address these offensive inefficiencies as they prepare for a pivotal five-game road trip.
Orlando’s focus will now turn to their upcoming matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers in the City of Brotherly Love. The Magic will look to regroup and find their footing as they aim to bounce back from this latest defeat. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET on Monday, and fans will be eager to see if the team can find a way to reignite their offense on the road.
