National Basketball Association

Orlando Magic Grades: Orlando Magic 114, Indiana Pacers 106

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Orlando Magic gained momentum in a monstrous second quarter and held on to record their first preseason win, looking more and more like a team.

VS.

	1	2	3	4	T
Magic	19	44	21	30	114
Pacers	30	23	34	19	106

The Orlando Magic starting unit again struggled offensively. The group still clearly trying to learn each other and grow together. It is still a work in progress for them. The moments of uncertainty still reigned as the team turned the ball over XX times and still had that sloppy feel to them.

Then the second unit came in and lit the Amway Center up.

The group featuring C.J. Watson, C.J. Wilcox, Jeff Green, Damjan Rudez and Bismack Biyombo probably best exemplified everything the Magic are trying to build and be at every moment of the game.

They defended the paint well and got out in transition. The ball whipped around the perimeter for open 3-pointers. The Magic were firing on all cylinders on both ends, scoring 44 points in the quarter and making 14 of 20 shots — and 14 of the first 16.

The momentum carried through for the Magic. And they picked up both their pace and their intensity considerably.

With both teams playing their starters to the final whistle, the Magic executed and got the stops they needed to eke out a 114-106 win over the Indiana Pacers at Amway Center on Friday.

It was a positive and concrete step forward for the team to get their first preseason win and do it with their key players on the floor for meaningful and decisive minutes.

The Magic’s effort was far from perfect — the bench far outplayed the starters as the team struggled and continued to look in need of some practice and refining to get to the finished product. They turned the ball over 25 games, an increase from Wednesday’s game. And the Pacers had two quarters with 30-plus points.

Orlando still has work to do. But the team showed longer flashes of what its potential can be and continued to do so for longer stretches. It might have taken some waking up, but the Magic seem to be rounding into form.

Serge Ibaka

PF, Orlando Magic

Ibaka did not block any shots, but was a big stalwart on defense, helping Nikola Vucevic plenty and anchoring the Magic’s defense. It was not even necessarily Ibaka helping Vucevic, it was how he was able to slow his man down enough to allow Vucevic and the defense to rotate. He was able to move his feet well and contain Thaddeus Young for much of the game.

Ibaka was solid on the glass more than anything. Leading the team in rebounding and always being a factor around the basket. On offense, he popped well and found himself open for three 3-pointers. His jumper looked incredibly smooth and confident to bolster his offensive game.

Mario Hezonja

SG, Orlando Magic

His game Friday left something to be wanted. He scored just six points on 2-for-5 shooting and had three turnovers. He missed his only open 3-pointer. And while he was strong cutting and moving without the ball and attacking to get into his shot, he was largely ineffective. His -18 plus/minus had something to do with that.

Hezonja’s defense though continues to be a focus. And while he still shows plenty of intention and effort, he still shows a lot of holes. And a lot of that has to do with making second efforts to stay with plays. Often he would get the stop on the first effort, relax and then give up another play on the second effort. That is a young player mistake, but one that must clean up as Hezonja is still not the strongest one-on-one defender on the team.

Damjan Rudez

F, Orlando Magic

Rudez scored 11 points and dished out five assists, supercharging the Magic’s big run in the second quarter on their way to 44 total points and an offensive onslaught from the team.

Rudez was getting his points on 3-pointers largely. But he showed off an impressive passing game. He made a smooth no-look pass in transition and slotted passes right to Bismack Biyombo in a way that Biyombo had no trouble catching and finishing them easily. The Magic do not win this game without Rudez’s efforts.

Nikola Vucevic

C, Orlando Magic

But Vucevic is contributing in some ways offensively. He had four assists and the Magic will use him as a passing big man from the high post. Where Vucevic though looks best — and yet still needs improvement — is on defense.

The old bugaboo for Vucevic continues to leave us wanting more. But Vucevic’s defensive positioning and verticality is better. He is recovering well and getting to spots to challenge shots and make them difficult. He even swatted a shot after Serge Ibaka got beat on the perimeter. This looks like an improved Vucevic on defense. But the Magic still opted to put Bismack Biyombo in for defensive lineups late in the game. Who could blame them?

Indiana Pacers

That was especially true after the Magic stole the momentum with that monstrous second quarter. Orlando was on the front foot and taking it to Indiana throughout the rest of the game. The Pacers were playing catch up.

The Pacers were largely fine. Their starters did a good job throughout the game. And it was clear they were still playing catch up. But the way the game ended and the defense from the second unit in the second quarter and the fourth quarter likely will not sit right with Nate McMillan.