Magic Major Flaw Drawn Attention to Its Loss Against the Cavs

Magic Major Flaw Drawn Attention to Its Loss Against the Cavs

In order to be competitive before the NBA Trade Deadline, the Orlando Magic must improve.
ONE HOUR AGO: JEREMY BRENER
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Orlando Magic
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ORLANDO: Following a 126-99 defeat to the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Kia Centre on Monday night, the Orlando Magic is returning to earth.

While a 27-point loss is always concerning, a quick look at the box score may reveal why the team lost. The Cavaliers made 20 of their 38 3-point attempts, or 52.6 percent, from long range. The two clubs’ 27-point disparity is a result of their nine more 3-pointers made than the Magic’s.

Orlando’s 3-point shooting percentage of 37.9 percent is higher than their season average, but the club lacked a player whose shotmaking may have forced them back into the game.

With a 34.1 percent 3-point shooting percentage this season, the Magic are dead last in the NBA, but maybe that will help the club get what they want at the NBA Trade Deadline, which is in less than three weeks.

Orlando won’t accept their dismal 3-point shooting as an acceptable explanation, and Jamahl Mosley, the Magic’s coach, will constantly insist that the team focus on defence. The Magic will gain some balance, however, if they start making more 3-pointers.

Banchero Paolo Franz Wagner
‘Super Impressed’ Franz Wagner Of Magic With Paolo Banchero
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It will be difficult to find the ideal player to increase their 3-point shooting without compromising their defensive game since Orlando wants to stay true to their defense-first philosophy. Nonetheless, the Magic must find some shooting if they want to advance into the playoffs.

Thursday, February 8 is the day of the NBA Trade Deadline.

Jarrett Allen’s All-Star claim strengthens the Cavaliers’ victory against the Magic.

Donovan Mitchell was the lone member of the Cleveland Cavaliers to make it into the top 10 for NBA All-Star 2024 in the final round of fan voting. Although Mitchell is in fourth position behind Damian Lillard, Trae Young, and Tyrese Haliburton, the vote doesn’t really matter since it helps determine which players will start for the All-Star team. Although Mitchell has performed well, leading the Cavaliers to a 12-3 record and an incredible eight-game winning streak in the absence of Darius Garland (jaw) and Evan Mobley (knee), it is surprising to see Jarrett Allen not included among the Top 10.

Without Garland and Mobley for these 15 games, Allen has been every bit as dominating as Mitchell. In only 31.8 minutes per game, Allen has averaged 17.3 points, 12.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.4 blocks. In the Cavs’ 126-99 win against the Orlando Magic, Cleveland’s big man also established a club record for the most straight double-doubles in the history of the team with 12. Even while that run may not seem like much in the big picture, it is a testament to how much Allen has helped Cleveland since Garland and Mobley were injured.

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It’s likely that the Cavs aren’t playing at their best right now without Allen. Of course, Mitchell leads the charge offensively every night. Against Orlando, he tied a career-high assist total of 13 that he had previously established against the Atlanta Hawks a few nights before. However, Mitchell lacks Allen’s two-way ability, as Cleveland’s gentle giant displays his power and hustle on both ends of the court. The way Allen handled Orlando forward Franz Wagner in isolation is the epitome of a two-way hustle. One of the finest plays from the Cavs’ resounding victory came from Allen accepting the challenge versus Wagner rather than backpedalling and depending on his superior strength as a rim-protecting anchor.

Again, even if it appears easy enough for Jarrett Allen to experience these kinds of moments, the Cleveland big man feels as though they never stop. Every night for the Cavs, he has shown himself and exceeded all expectations; this victory against the Magic is just the most recent example.

Once again, it seems ludicrous that Allen did not place among the Eastern Conference’s All-Star frontcourt players despite all of this background. Allen may not be as dominant as Jayson Tatum, Joel Embiid, or Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, the NBA is being foolish by grouping big players with forwards, and Allen is easily outperforming everyone else outside of the top three.

Because of this, Allen deserves to play reserve for Cleveland with Mitchell even if he won’t be starting for the Eastern Conference in Indianapolis during All-Star weekend. If he doesn’t, NBA coaches are doing the Cavaliers a disservice by failing to acknowledge the importance of Allen to the team each and every week, particularly in the absence of Garland and Mobley.

Another example of Allen’s vigour to Cleveland’s lifeblood—carrying them on either end of the floor most nights—is this masterful effort versus the Magic. The TNT All-Star reserves for 2024 are revealed on February 1st, so maybe there won’t be much more waiting to find out whether Allen’s talent is being noticed.

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Based just off the beaches of Lake Erie, Evan Dammarell is an award-winning sports writer who covers everything Cleveland, including the Cavs. Observe him on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. Additionally, he is available three to five times a week on Locked On Cavs, a component of