If we are playing a Family Feud-style game, perhaps the No. 1 answer would be holding onto late leads. Most young teams struggle to stay composed down the stretch of a close game.
This, however, continues to not be an issue for the Orlando Magic, despite them being the fourth-youngest team in the league with an average age of 24.3 years old.
Following Friday’s victory over the Raptors in Toronto, the Magic are now 32-1 this season when leading going into the fourth quarter. Their one defeat was the game in Mexico City on Nov. 9 against the Atlanta Hawks.
That 97 percent winning percentage ranks No. 1 in the NBA so far this season. The Los Angeles Lakers are second in percentage at 96.6 percent (28-1) and the Oklahoma City Thunder are third at 95.3 percent (41-2).
The Magic franchise record for best winning percentage when ahead after three quarters is 92.3 percent (48-4), set during the 2008-09 season. Only two other Magic teams won at least 90 percent of their games when up after three.
The two youngest teams in the NBA right now – the San Antonio Spurs and Detroit Pistons – are a combined 19-12 (61.3 percent) when leading after three. Meanwhile, the fifth and sixth youngest squads – the Portland Trail Blazers and Charlotte Hornets – are a combined 21-10 (67.7 percent).
The main reason for the Magic’s ability to close out games is their defense. They have the NBA’s best fourth-quarter defensive rating (108.6). They also have been superb on the glass in those final 12 minutes, giving up a league-low 9.7 rebounds.
What the Magic were able to do against the Raptors in Friday’s win was wear them down with their size and strength. Playing a physical brand of basketball, they know, is the key to securing a playoff berth.
“You want to make your presence felt every time you step on the court – personally and as a team,” guard Jalen Suggs said. “Embracing the physicality. They said they are going to let the game be more physical. We are trying to get to that…From watching it and hearing it, that’s how it gets (in the playoffs). One, getting used to doing it and two, getting used to playing against it.”
Prior to these two most recent wins – against the Brooklyn Nets at Kia Center and the Raptors at Scotiabank Arena – the Magic had a bit of a wakeup call as far as what playoff-like intensity looks and feels like in losses to fellow playoff hopefuls, the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden and the Indiana Pacers at home.
Regardless of the quality of the opponent, the Magic are determined to stick to their principles the remainder of the season and be the more physical team every night they step onto the court.
“I think those were some teaching points in the Indiana game and the Knicks game,” forward Franz Wagner said. “Honestly, I think we can still be a little bit better. But I think you can see we talked about that and it’s a point of emphasis for us.”
