The hapless Orlando Magic lost by 32 points to the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night at the Amway Center. Hawks forward Josh Smith and center Al Horford combined for 56 points on the night as they sent Orlando to their 37th loss of the season.
The Hawks came with a mission to beat-up on the Magic, and that’s exactly what they did. At one point during the battle, Atlanta extended their lead to 37 points, clearly flexing their emaciated muscles against a short-handed Magic team.
Magic guard Jameer Nelson scored 10 points on the night, which was tied for a game high for Orlando. Forward Andrew Nicholson scored 10 as well, but it didn’t do much to slow the Hawks down.
Outside of the Magic’s inability to score points to keep pace with Atlanta, Orlando’s defense was soft in the middle as the Hawks had their way inside. Horford nabbed 10 rebounds in the first half and pulled down a total of 12 for the game.
Even when the Hawks eased off of the gas peddle, the Magic seemed to give them a push to drift in the win.
Between poor shot selection, missed shots, lack of cohesion on the floor, and missing injured players, the Magic did well to put up 76 points on the night.
Before the double-digit loss to the Hawks, the Magic received some bad news before tip, so maybe there was some foreshadowing going on.
The NBA suspended Magic forward Hedo Turkoglu for 20 games due to a positive test for steroids.
Not that the Magic would sorely miss his production; Turkoglu averaged a paltry three points per game, but it further compounds the disappointment associated with the Magic this season.
Turkoglu apologized to the team for his actions and took full responsibility for making such a poor decision.
“I’m just sorry to put the organization in this situation. … I should have double-checked and researched and shouldn’t be in this situation,” Turkoglu said.
In addition to Turkoglu’s extended absence, the injuries have come in waves for Orlando.
Forward Glen Davis is possibly out for the year with a fractured foot, guard Jameer Nelson recently returned from a left forearm bruise, guard J.J. Redick, who is reportedly on the trading block, is back from a sore left shoulder, and now Turkoglu is out.
With the loss to the Hawks, the Magic have dropped 13 of their last 15 games. They have won just three games since the start of 2013 and continue to toil in the basement of the Eastern Conference.
If there is any good news for the Magic, it’s that the game against Atlanta was their last prior to this weekend’s All-Star festivities in Houston.
Maybe the rest and relaxation will cure what’s ailing this young franchise.
Once history has judged the East vs. West on Sunday evening, the Magic will re-group to face the desolate Charlotte Bobcats on the 19th in Orlando.
-JH
