A season-opening matchup between the Orlando Magic and Houston Rockets, two teams that have been rebuilding over the past few seasons and are expecting to take the next (or several) steps in their respective development, made perfect sense.
Obviously, nothing can be concluded from a single game, regardless of the point in the season or the location of the contest, but the matchup between these two teams seemed like a decent barometer for both.
Wednesday’s 116-86 victory saw the Magic play with the ideal level of intensity, while also appearing as advertised defensively, if the aforementioned assertion holds true. The 30-point victory is the largest opening-night margin of victory in team history.
Forward Jonathan Isaac described his team’s effort as making him “extremely (proud)” “Our mentality is centered on the question: how do we proceed? Can we maintain this level of intensity and concentration for the entire 48 minutes?”
Houston, which signed several free agents during the offseason, including Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks, was limited to 32 points in the interior by Orlando. In addition, it outrebounded the Rockets 56 to 31. Both statistics are noteworthy given that Houston ranked fourth in rebounding and fifth in points in the interior during the previous season.
The Magic’s bench was also outstanding, outscoring the Rockets’ bench 59-27. Cole Anthony, who inked a contract extension on Tuesday, scored a game-high 20 points, while Isaac, playing in his first regular season game since February of last year, was stout defensively and scored 11 points.
“We did our thing,” stated Anthony of the second unit. “We came in with great defensive intensity, I believe,” I believe that, as a team, we altered the game early on and gave us a commanding lead.It simply felt wonderful to be on the winning side of the court.”
Franz Wagner led the starters in scoring with 19 points, whereas Paolo Banchero stuffed the tally sheet with 12 points, five rebounds, five assists, and one steal.
With the exception of the first few minutes of the third quarter, when Houston closed to within one point after trailing by 17 at halftime, Orlando maintained momentum for the majority of the game. Nonetheless, the Magic would quickly regain the lead, outscoring the Rockets 24-7 to end the period.
Throughout the summer and especially during training camp, the Magic’s potential to be a top 10 defensive team this season dominated the conversation. Again, it’s only one game, but if Wednesday’s performance in front of a sold-out, raucous crowd was any indication of what’s to come, this goal is undoubtedly attainable.
The question now is whether or not all of this vigor and activity will travel. The Magic will play four games on the West Coast, beginning on Friday in Portland.