Don’t look now, but the Magic of Orlando are just a half-game out of fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings after their 112-92 win over the Nowheres Charlotte Frelons at home Tuesday evening. Much of the success of the Magic’s 2023-24 NBA season can be attributed to their stifling defense, which showed again in the Charlotte game.
After the win over the Hornets, Magic guard Jalen Suggs said Orlando will always be a handful for the rest of the league when the Magic’s defense clicks.
‘We play defense like that, it’s scary,’ former Gonzaga Bulldogs star said.
The Magic held Charlotte to just 48.1 percent from the floor and forced the Hornets to commit a total of 17 turnovers. Picking pockets and forcing turnovers from opponents has been a staple this season for Orlando, which is fourth in the league with 15.0 defensive turnovers per game and No. 1 overall with a defensive turnover rate of 13.7 percent.
This is an incredibly opportunistic defense team that will not shy away from every opportunity to make their opponents cry. The Magic are fourth in adjusted defensive rating with 111.4 points allowed per 100 possessions.
