The Orlando Magic pulled the biggest upset surprise in the playoffs so far by beating the Pistons in Game 1. After losing the first play-in game and sputtering into the playoffs, Orlando was able to beat the best team in the Eastern Conference.
Orlando was able to make Jalen Duren a non-factor, which helped them win the game. They also employed a strange tactic for film session, which was one of the reasons why they got the win. Instead of watching film on the Pistons, they watched film on themselves.
According to Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN, Jamahl Mosley decided to play a highlight reel of everyone on the team to fire them up.
GettyOrlando Magic players Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane celebrate. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Strange Film Session Helped the Orlando Magic Save Their Season
This session helped a struggling team realize just how good they are. Mosley played highlight reels of each player going back to college, proving to them that they aren’t the terrible team that everyone was telling them they are. It worked, as the Magic won a critical Game 1 in Detroit.
“It makes everybody feel a bit better,” Suggs told ESPN of the video. “You remember where you came from. Mose is really good at that, giving us reminders of who we are, our complete basketball journey, not just whether it be the frustrations or the heaviness of right now.”
Mosley has been one of the coaches in the NBA on the hot seat. Orlando was expected to be one of the top four seeds in the East this year. That was especially true with Indiana, Boston, and Milwaukee all having key players suffering major injuries.
Now, they have a shot to pull one of the biggest upsets of the NBA season. The Orlando Magic are finally healthy, which is one of the reasons why they were able to win the first game of the series. Of course, they have to sustain this level of play for three more games.
GettyOrlando Magic forward Franz Wagner dribbles the ball. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
The Magic are Fighting for Their Future
Other than Desmond Bane, every other Magic player is fighting for his future in Orlando. Bane was traded for in the offseason, and he has been the most consistent offensive player. There is a chance that Paolo Banchero gets moved in the offseason after a first-round exit.
Banchero is the most valuable trade asset that Orlando has. They could try to cash in that trade chip for a bigger player on the market. They could make a run at Giannis Antetokounmpo with Banchero as the centerpiece, although the lack of draft capital hurts that possibility.
Regardless, this Magic team knows what’s at stake for the rest of the playoffs. Winning more games against the Pistons is the only way to keep this core intact. Upsetting Detroit in the first round would certainly give Mosley a chance to save his job and return to the team next year.
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