AP Photo/Mark Duncan

BOX SCORE

At this point in the season, wins and losses don’t matter for the Orlando Magic. Even though the Cleveland Cavaliers extended the Magic’s losing streak to a season-high 12 games, what matters more for Orlando is player development.

Players like Nikola Vucevic and Andrew Nicholson — the future of the Magic — had standout performances against the Cavaliers. Vucevic finished with a career-high 25 points to go along with 13 rebounds, while Nicholson had 21 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks.

Vucevic got off to a quick start in the first quarter with 11 points and six rebounds. Matched up primarily against Tyler Zeller, Vucevic did whatever he wanted offensively. Whether it was Vucevic scoring on a layup in a pick-and-roll with Jameer Nelson, a lefty hook in the paint, or converting a traditional three-point play on an offensive rebound putback, it became clear that Zeller was outmatched.

The trend continued throughout the game, as Vucevic did whatever he wanted offensively against Zeller (and Marreese Speights on occasion). Lefty hooks? Righty hooks? Midrange jumpers? Offensive rebound putbacks? No problem.

Would Vucevic had put up this type of performance against Anderson Varejao? Probably not. Regardless, Vucevic displayed his full potential on offense, though he has a lot of work to do to become a net positive defensively.

As for Nicholson, his silky smooth jumper and refined post game was working in unison. Like Vucevic, Nicholson showed what he’s capable of offensively.

It’s games like these that make Magic fans wonder why he wasn’t getting more playing time before Glen Davis went down with a potentially season-ending injury. Now that Davis is hurt and Nicholson is starting at power forward out of necessity, perhaps now that question can be put to rest.

Perhaps the most encouraging development from this game was how well Nicholson and Vucevic looked together on offense. Because they both can operate either from the low post (on either block) or from midrange (at the elbows), you rarely, if ever, see them get into each other’s way offensively.
And it helps that Vucevic is a capable high-post passer.

The pairing needs to improve on defense, but it’s hard not to be impressed with how they performed on offense. And when you take into account Maurice Harkless’ slow but steady progress, the Magic fanbase may be getting a glimpse at the frontcourt of the future.

MVP (Most Valuable Player)

Kyrie Irving (24 points, eight assists, and six rebounds) was his usual sterling self. When the game got tight late as Orlando tried to mount a comeback, Irving shut the door in crunch time.

That Was … More of the Same

Another game, another loss. The Magic have now lost 23 of their last 25 games since a surprising 12-13 start to the season. Seems like yesterday people were talking about the playoffs.

AP Photo/John Raoux

BOX SCORE

It was a C-list type of night in Orlando and the Magic proved that, despite key injuries on both sides, they are capable of losing in almost any circumstance.

Jameer Nelson was “the plan” for Orlando and that plan got squelched for the entire second half, leading the Magic to their 35th loss of the season.

At halftime, Nelson said that he needed to value the ball a little bit more. What he should have said was, “If we’re going to win this game, it’s going to be because I score 40 points.” Nelson ended the first half with 18 points, three assists, and three rebounds. He didn’t score at all in the second half.

For Nelson, “valuing the ball” probably changes from night to night and from season to season. A year ago, it might have meant making sure Dwight Howard got 60 touches. Earlier this season, it might have meant penetrating and finding J.J. Redick or Arron Afflalo on the perimeter.

But in a game where five Magic players, including Redick, Afflalo and Glen Davis, were injured and sitting on the bench, valuing the ball meant keeping the ball in his own hands.

The Clippers, even without their stars, are a good team. And a good team knows how to adjust at halftime. In this game, the only adjustment was silencing Nelson.

Sean Highkin pointed out that the Magic tend to lose games in the first and fourth quarters. But against the Clips, because Nelson — the only Magic threat — was neutralized in the second half with a trapping defense, Orlando really lost this game in the third quarter. Nelson didn’t score in the third and the Magic were outscored 24-13.

The rest was, as they say, history, as there was no other real scoring option for Orlando.

Fans might have viewed this game as a wash. No stars, no implications, and once again, no win for the Magic.

MVP (Most Valuable Player)

Despite being silenced in the second half, Jameer asserted himself offensively in the first half. Without his presence, the Magic would have been blown out by a team full of bench players from Los Angeles.

Defining Moment

In the third quarter, the Clippers adjusted, trapped Nelson, and challenged Orlando to beat them with other options. Orlando couldn’t and after surrendering 11 points in the third, the Magic limped into another loss.

That Was … Like Watching a D-League Game

It’s hard enough to watch the Magic these days. When an elite team comes into town and their stars are wearing suits on the bench, it gets even harder. Just another day in the office for Orlando, though, notching their 35th loss of the season.