Overcoming the league-best Jazz was always going to be a tall order for the Magic. It was one made even more difficult when factoring in the team’s seemingly endless list of absences due to injury, the latest being James Ennis who was scratched with a calf complaint. Although they hung around longer than most might have expected, eventually Orlando gave way to Utah’s unerring execution.
The Magic started the game well, keeping pace with the Jazz despite some cold shooting. Instead they were able to generate points via opportunistic hustle, with Al-Farouq Aminu extending possessions on the offensive glass and Evan Fournier striking in transition when Utah coughed the ball up.