2023-2024 Regular Season Game 41: Orlando Magic (22-18) at Atlanta Hawks (16-23) - 7:30pm

[Knightro]

Was a heck of a shot by Paolo at the end, not lucky.

If we're calling that lucky, was a lucky shot by Dejounte at the end too.

I think the "lucky" calls are coming from the fact it was a totally busted play. It was a great job of Paolo ultimately making something out of nothing, but the actual process of whatever they were trying was very poor even though the result ended up good.

[Audi]

Was a heck of a shot by Paolo at the end, not lucky.

If we're calling that lucky, was a lucky shot by Dejounte at the end too.

It shouldn't come down to having to have him hit those shots but - man - how nice is it to FINALLY have a guy who can hit in the clutch!?

[JoshuaPotter]

The crimes of this game.....
- No radio station in Orlando or Atlanta was actually covering this game
- Mosely continues to start Okeke / Houstan. You can't start both, they CLEARLY aren't the answer together.
- Those who whine about Paolo efficiency need only look at Okeke and Houstan that make his numbers look stellar.
- Are injury bug lost us an otherwise winnable game
- Fultz is slowly going into form stat wise. But as many have said. Having him in at the end of the game? What? C'mon Mosely! Dude cannot ride or die in his "guard by committee" approach.
- Cole laid an egg

Only 2 positives.
- That much closer to the trade deadline (and seeing who is still here who isn't)
- Franz returning which puts us at near full strength and should allow us something that resembles an consistent lineup.

[basketballRob]

We won 9 straight with AB starting and Houstan not playing one minute.

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[Skybox]

Read on Twitter

This last play was an abomination, just helter skelter....first of all what was markelle thinking going that fast? i felt him doing that instantly broke the action....paolo saved it with another clutch shot but we need more practice with execution....can't keep thinking that paolo is going to save us last minute

I don't think it's a matter of practicing offense...it's a matter of talent.

We're all tired of watching "give it to Paolo and hope he's great". It works pretty often. He's that clutch already but he'll get tired of that "plan" pretty soon too if we could be winning more. The idea that additional RELIABLE offensive threats would compromise Paolo and Franz is a loser mentality. We need more scorers to be a better team...

I have to have faith that Weltman is on it now. He's done everything right for THIS moment. I thought it was last summer but I know I'm impatient...it could even be this coming summer, but honestly, I think there are better opportunities via trade NOW than having all that cap space in summer to overpay someone. I just think it's an optimal time, optimal roster/salary construction/extra frp & all of our own....no reason

[Bergmaniac]

Interesting clutch stats:

In the last two minutes of close games (5 points difference or less) Paolo has taken 26 shots (7 of them 3 pointers). The rest of the team combined has taken 31 shots (15 of them 3 pointers). Paolo's percentages are 46.2% overall and 42.9% from 3. The rest of the team combined is 29% from the field and an utterly atrocious 6.67% from 3 (1 three made in 15 attempts).

[UCFJayBird]

Heck of a shot by Paolo, equally great shot by Murray to secure the win for ATL.

Fultz should not be playing. If he's at the rim he's great, anywhere beyond 3 feet and he cannot shoot. When I saw him pull up from 10 feet out, and hitch his shot at the top of his jump, I wanted to throw up. The guy's TOS (i think that's what it's called?) is clearly back. If he could shoot even a reasonable shot, I'd be fine with him on the court, I think he runs a good offense, he penetrates, he can create for others, etc. But until that is resolved, I don't think he has a real spot on the floor.

If the team can get healthy I think we'll start to see that early season team and we'll go on a pretty good run in the second half of the season. But until then, the holes we do have get amplified with Franz out.

Also I don't know who cursed Orlando, but it blows me away that we've got good shooters but they all are the most streaky guys on the planet and several of them will go through bad stretches at the exact same time. I don't mind the mindset of "keep shooting". I like that Caleb keeps taking shots, though I think he's forcing some when he's not as open as he needs to be. But I don't want every shooter who is struggling to keep firing away on the same night, lol.

[thelead]

We won 9 straight with AB starting and Houstan not playing one minute.

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Coach is stubborn for sure. I like Mose but I’m not sure he relies on logic to make decisions sometimes. It took him a few games to figure out that Goga is a better fit with Paolo when WCJ came back… even after the win streak.

[Audi]

We won 9 straight with AB starting and Houstan not playing one minute.

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...there was also this one particular german fellow on the court then...

[DiplomaticMagic]

This loss is on Mosley.

I dont know why Fultz was in to close at all, its sad watching him play. Hes not even looking to shoot if its not in the paint. And he is clogging the paint. Fultz shouldnt play. People always tell me, maybe we are showcasing for trade, there is no showcase when the player is playing bad. His only value is going to be hes an expiring contract.

Isaac only playing 10 minutes is criminal.

I dont know why we continue to start Okeke and Caleb too.

This is a really bad loss.

[basketballRob]

We won 9 straight with AB starting and Houstan not playing one minute.

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...there was also this one particular german fellow on the court then...

AB has still been the better player this season based on the stats.

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[eyriq]

We won 9 straight with AB starting and Houstan not playing one minute.

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...there was also this one particular german fellow on the court then...

AB has still been the better player this season based on the stats.

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Better player than Houstan* for sure.

[DiplomaticMagic]

I still dont like Dejounte Murray because he doesnt pass the good vibes test but games like today make you wonder lol

[basketballRob]

I didn't like how Murray was bouncing balls off people's faces in the pro amateur scrimmage. He has no class at all.

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[Knightro]

The crimes of this game.....
- No radio station in Orlando or Atlanta was actually covering this game.

It was on 104.5 The Beat (UCF was on 96.9 The Game).

[JoshuaPotter]

The crimes of this game.....
- No radio station in Orlando or Atlanta was actually covering this game.

It was on 104.5 The Beat (UCF was on 96.9 The Game).

I tuned in, it was all music on 104.5

[IllMagic04]

This loss is on Mosley.

I dont know why Fultz was in to close at all, its sad watching him play. Hes not even looking to shoot if its not in the paint. And he is clogging the paint. Fultz shouldnt play. People always tell me, maybe we are showcasing for trade, there is no showcase when the player is playing bad. His only value is going to be hes an expiring contract.

Isaac only playing 10 minutes is criminal.

I dont know why we continue to start Okeke and Caleb too.

This is a really bad loss.

I agree with everything except Issac. I don't blame Mose for that. I blame the fact he's made out of glass for that. That fact we are in January and there's still minutes restrictions on him tells us all we need to know. It's not his fault but his body just can't hold up to NBA basketball. It's a shame cause he's is an elite defensive player.

[OrlandoSaban]

I was at the game in Atlanta and the team looked bored. Zero emotion, zero intensity. It was a very boring game.

This team is just lost and has no identity at all.

[Def Swami]

I was at the game in Atlanta and the team looked bored. Zero emotion, zero intensity. It was a very boring game.

This team is just lost and has no identity at all.

Something I've noticed as well. I believe part of it just might be it's January in a long, grueling season. Part of me also believes the trade rumor stuff is actually impacting some guys. Weird injuries that no one can pinpoint, weird rotations, weird minutes distribution, weird DNPs. I could be wrong, but I think the front office is clearly shopping some guys and that stuff is affecting the spirit of the team we really liked in the beginning of the season.

[drsd]

I don't get some of the trashing of this and that player; this game was lost because Orlando shot the 3-ball very poorly. That is not on Fultz or Carter; at all.

Okeke is the easy winner for the old duncecap for me. His shooting was awful. He should not be in the NBA. Then the duncecap Jr. awards are to Anthony, Houston, and Ingles. Orlando only needed one of those three to "get hot". Just one.

And by the way, Banchero also had a horrible nioght shooting. I mean, really, really bad.

In conclusion: when is F-Wagner returning?????



p.s. if Orlando had won this, my vest would have gone to Suggs with Bitadze as the cummerbund. Really troopers in true efficiency in what they offered.
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