The Orlando Magic have often lamented their inability to close. Time and again, they make mistakes — often, silly mistakes — that prevent them from winning games and from taking that next step forward.
Losing close games often does not come down to those obvious head-slapping moments. Losing close games often does not come down to the obvious play. It is the plays that add up and set up those moments.
With the Orlando Magic up by two points on the Oklahoma City Thunder, they had two opportunities to take a four-point lead. In both instances, Orlando was forced to take contested 18-foot jump shots with the shot clock winding down.