Scott Skiles said the Orlando Magic lacked energy in Sunday’s loss to the Chicago Bulls. It was not an effort indicative of his team — past or present. He would demand better.
He got it Tuesday as the Orlando Magic came roaring out of the gates and took control of their game against the New Orleans Pelicans almost immediately. Orlando once again built as much as an 18-point lead, withstanding New Orleans’ barrage of 3-pointers in the third quarter that cut the lead down to five points.
Orlando though held on. The team executed down the stretch, waking from its offensive slumber to return to the ball movement and space play that were the hallmarks of building the lead.