In a tough outing for the Orlando Magic, they faced a historic defeat against the Toronto Raptors on Sunday. The loss, marked by a franchise-record margin, prompted head coach Jamahl Mosley to take responsibility for the team's performance.
Mosley candidly addressed the need for better preparation. "I've got to do a better job preparing them for what they were going to see tonight," he admitted.
The Magic struggled to handle the Raptors' physicality, which disrupted their game plan. Mosley emphasized the importance of preparing his team for the intensity and urgency that Toronto displayed, especially given the absence of some key players on the Raptors' side.
The Magic's difficulties were evident across the board, highlighted by a staggering 31-0 run by the Raptors-the largest in the NBA's play-by-play era. Orlando also committed 28 turnovers, leading to 37 points for Toronto.
"Their sense of urgency and physicality really moved us off our spots," Mosley noted. The Magic's shooting woes were clear, as they ended the game with a 37.8% field goal percentage and just 23.7% from beyond the arc. In contrast, the Raptors shot an impressive 57.4% from the field and 44.8% from three-point range, while also dishing out 41 assists and committing only 11 turnovers.
Looking ahead, Mosley stressed the need for the team to regroup and focus on their next challenge against Phoenix. "We just got to bounce back from this one," he said, underscoring the importance of adapting and improving as the season winds down.
When questioned about the team's urgency, Mosley reiterated his commitment to better preparing his players for the challenges ahead, especially with only eight games remaining in the season. It's clear that the Magic will need to elevate their game to finish the season strong.