Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley emphasized the team’s collective effort following their 132-120 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Kia Center on Wednesday.
“I like the way that we finished the game, finding a way to finish. I think our guys did a great job. Again, 32 assists, us being able to share the basketball, and then we’ve talked about that over the last four, we’ve been averaging close to 30, 31 assists. And so that’s what it’s got to be about,” Mosley said.
The coach highlighted the importance of ball movement in the Magic’s offensive success. “The ball has energy. When you’re touching it, moving it, sharing it, touching the paint. I think that’s a big key that we’ve constantly talked about it. Early transition baskets, touching the paint, driving, attacking, cutting, all those little small pieces are important for us,” he added.
Mosley also addressed the impact of having Franz Wagner and Anthony Black back in the lineup. “It buys guys time. Our ability to sub and make rotations at the right time, get combinations in there… defensively first, guarding multiple positions, and then offensively, the pace that they play, the downhill attacking, then that’s part of touching the paint. Being able to find guys,” he said.
On the fan support in Orlando, Mosley shared, “I’ve said it time and time again and I’m just getting goosebumps now thinking about how great our fans are. They stick with you, and they are a reason why we get going. Moments in the game, we get a steal, we get a big stop, they raise our level. Our fans are absolutely incredible.”
Mosley praised Paolo Banchero’s attack mindset. “He’s tough to guard. He’s already getting downhill as much as he can… He put his head down and he went and I think his ability to do that for us changes the game,” he said. He also noted Goga Bitadze’s energy and versatility. “Goga does whatever it takes to win and that was it. He sparked us… He got offensive rebounds, he put the paint protection for us in a great way… Goga’s going to do whatever it takes to help this team win.”
Regarding Banchero and Desmond Bane, Mosley observed, “When you have both of those guys in plays, the team’s loading up to them… Next thing you know, that ball changes sides of the floor… Our ability to just share it, move it, and that’s part of it.”
Looking ahead to the playoffs, Mosley stressed the need for focus. “Defense, get stops to get out and run to get the easy baskets. When we are in the half court, we have to be extremely intentional… When the playoffs start, we want to go from good to great and be intentional in everything that we’re doing.”
Mosley concluded on cleaning up small mistakes. “Those are the small details that matter. You can’t give away possessions… Offensive rebounds, turnovers. Those are small things that need to be cleaned up because we want to win the possession battle each night.”
Orlando (44-36) now holds seventh place in the Eastern Conference with two road games remaining. Banchero scored 20 points and eight rebounds, Bane added 18 points and six assists, Franz Wagner contributed 17 points, and Bitadze added 14 points with 15 rebounds. Minnesota was led by Shannon Jr.’s 33 points.
