LAS VEGAS — If the Magic‘s 27-point victory in their summer-league opener against Cleveland was easy and straightforward, Sunday’s 5-point win over New Orleans was not.
But what else should be expected in a city that includes its own twists and turns at every corner such as Las Vegas?
Orlando failed to take care of the ball (19 turnovers), sent the Pelicans to the free throw line 24 times and trailed by as many as 15 points in the second half before storming back to capture a 91-86 win to improve 2-0 in summer-league action at Cox Pavilion.
“We understand that every game is different and whatever it is, you have to be ready for,” Magic summer-league coach Lionel Chalmers said. “The guys were prepared and we stayed together.”
No. 18 pick Tristan da Silva led Orlando with 23 points and second-year guard Jett Howard had 14 with 3 assists, but they didn’t get much help on offense to start.
Magic point guard Anthony Black had only 1 point through three quarters after he shot 0 of 5 from the field with a single free throw. He ended with 5 points.
It wasn’t until Orlando’s second unit, which was led by Xavier Moon (10 points) and Jared Rhoden (7), that the Magic were back within striking distance of the Pelicans.
“It kind of shows you how deep this team runs and how well we’re connected throughout the starting five and bench,” da Silva said.
Once the Magic’s bench reignited the Magic’s offense, it was up to the starting group of da Silva, Howard, Black, guard Jarrett Culver (9 points) and center Jay Huff (13) to get the job done.
Huff’s hook shot with 4:36 remaining in the contest gave the Magic their first lead at 75-73 since late in the first half. The 7-1 center then sank a 3-pointer from the top of key and later slammed down a one-handed dunk to put the Magic ahead by 7 with under 3 minutes to play.
“The starters finished it but the second and third units, they were really what got us going,” Huff said. “You take any of these guys and you could plant them on an NBA team somewhere and they’ll be successful.
“It’s just a matter of opportunity,” he added. “So I’m glad they were the ones who really kick-started it.”
Big man Jay Huff aims to make most of chance with Magic summer league
Black still finished with 6 assists and impacted the game in more ways than one despite the low-scoring effort. He helped direct traffic for Orlando’s starters in the closing minutes while not loosening up on defense.
Da Silva provided the scoring late for the Magic. The rookie tallied 6 of his 23 points in the final two minutes, including when he converted a putback layup off an offensive rebound that gave the Magic a 7-point lead with 41 seconds left.
At age 23 and with four years of college experience, he showed what makes him a more polished prospect despite his rookie status.
“His game is all around solid,” Huff said of da Silva. “There’s not too many parts of his game that I would say he doesn’t have basketball-wise. He’s a player. He’s not one position.
“Like he plays basketball and it’s really impressive to see.”
Jason Beede can be reached at [email protected]
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