Magic tinker with lineup, rotation in preseason-ending earn vs. Cavaliers

There are commonly two strategies NBA teams have for their preseason finale: Keep experimenting with the predicted rotation gamers as portion of a “dress rehearsal” or give them a relaxation right before the game titles begin to make any difference in the standings.

Both of those techniques ended up on exhibit in the Orlando Magic’s 114-108 preseason-ending get above the Cleveland Cavaliers Friday at Amway Heart.

Even though the Cavaliers sat three starters in Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen, the Magic continued to tinker.

Orlando utilized its fifth diverse starting unit in as several online games, with Cole Anthony, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, Wendell Carter Jr. and Mo Bamba staying the first unit.

Markelle Fultz (fractured huge still left toe), Gary Harris (left knee rehabilitation), Jonathan Isaac (remaining knee rehabilitation) and Jalen Suggs (remaining knee capsule sprain and bone bruise) remained sidelined.

Coach Jamahl Mosley hasn’t shied absent from actively playing even larger lineups throughout schooling camp and preseason exhibitions, with the aforementioned group acquiring 3 men detailed as 6-foot-10 (Wagner, Banchero and Carter) and Bamba stated as 7 feet.

“It’s 4 [at least] 6-10 guys who can make decisions,” Mosley reported. “Yes, there is a stage of changes that they’re utilised to carrying out specific points, but their potential to make decisions is what we hold functioning with them on and check with them to do.”

Bol Bol, 7-foot-2, stuffed in for Bamba to commence the 3rd quarter.

The experimentation didn’t halt there, with Mosley actively playing lineups that noticed small or no time with each other in former game titles, together with a unit of Bol, Franz Wagner, Terrence Ross, Chuma Okeke and Moe Wagner.

Moe Wagner exited in the 2nd quarter soon after spraining his appropriate ankle.

“We instructed our fellas they require to recognize it’s extra likely to be about rotation, fits and feels as we transfer into that very first [regular season] match,” Mosley reported. “Guys taking part in perhaps extended minutes or shorter stints, but it is a way to glimpse at that.”

All five starters performed at the very least 20 minutes, typically in the to start with a few quarters.

Banchero led Orlando with 17 points (6-of-12 FGs), 5 rebounds and 2 helps. Anthony experienced 14 points (4-of-7 FGs, 6-of-6 on free throws) though Franz Wagner recorded 13 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists.

The Magic, who trailed by as numerous as 7 with 8 minutes remaining, pulled off the comeback earn behind the all-bench lineup of R.J. Hampton, Devin Cannady, Kevon Harris, Caleb Houstan and Admiral Schofield.

Houstan led the bench with 11 factors (4-of-6 FGs, 3-of-4 on 3s) — all of which had been scored in the fourth.

The Magic, who went 4-1 in the preseason with four consecutive wins, open up the typical season towards the Pistons Wednesday in Detroit.

This posting 1st appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. E mail Khobi Rate at khprice@orlandosentinel.com or observe him on Twitter at @khobi_rate.

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