In the city of Disney World, there is a new attraction, and it’s a new big 8. Eight, like the number of victories in a row for the Magic, quiet winner of the Wizards on Wednesday evening. Eight wins in a row is a small victory away from the franchise record, established by Dwight Howard’s teammates spanning 2010 and 2011.
This night, Cole Anthony’s teammates once again ignited their audience with very spectacular actions. For example, there was Jalen Suggs’ 360° on a counter-attack, then this exceptional alley-oop between the same Suggs and Anthony. A tribute to LeBron James and Dwyane Wade since after his pass, Suggs opened his arms while looking at the public. Like D-Wade!
“This audience has been waiting for this for a long time, and as soon as we can ignite it, we do it! »
” I love that ! » replies the Orlando rear about the collective of his training. “We have fun playing. Everyone touches the ball, everyone gets a piece of the pie, and we don’t care who’s going to score. At the end, it gives us victories, and everyone buys in. Look, there are 34 passes. That’s a lot in the NBA… This audience has been waiting for this for a long time, and as soon as we can ignite it, we do it! »
If the Magic can offer basketball that is as collective as it is spectacular, it is because it always relies on a strong defense. These are the “stops” that allow you to project yourself forward and put on a show. But be careful not to fall into “hooray basketball”.
Don’t look at the calendar…
“We conceded more points than we wanted,” continues Suggs. “We had some good defensive moments. We had moments where we imposed our will to string together series. We must learn from this. We have realized over the last two matches that we do not show the same intensity and the same attention to detail, the teams can score points. We want to lean on our defense and have it be our anchor, and we have to continue to pay attention to detail and be great at it. »
And do they pay attention to the calendar? Friday, they challenge the Wizards again, and on paper, the 9th victory in a row seems obvious. “When you start analyzing the schedule and things like that, you start to lose”warns Suggs. “It’s better to pay attention to details. It’s one of the things that made this series, and this start of the season, so unique for us. »
| Jalen Suggs | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2021-22 | ENT | 48 | 27 | 36.1 | 21.4 | 77.3 | 0.5 | 3.0 | 3.6 | 4.4 | 3.0 | 1.2 | 3.0 | 0.4 | 11.8 |
| 2022-23 | ENT | 53 | 24 | 41.9 | 32.7 | 72.3 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 2.9 | 2.3 | 1.3 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 9.9 |
| 2023-24 | ENT | 16 | 27 | 43.5 | 36.2 | 83.3 | 0.8 | 3.3 | 4.0 | 2.7 | 2.8 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 0.5 | 12.4 |
| Total | 117 | 26 | 39.4 | 28.5 | 76.4 | 0.8 | 2.6 | 3.4 | 3.5 | 2.6 | 1.3 | 2.3 | 0.5 | 11.0 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
