Magic film study: Orlando’s 3-2 zone defense vs. Dallas

Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty ImagesDuring Friday’s preseason game against the Dallas Mavericks, the Orlando Magic implemented a 3-2 zone defense for a five-minute stretch during the second quarter.

In today’s NBA, playing zone defense for an extended period of time can yield disastrous results. Whether it be the strong outside shooters, heady playmakers (like Dallas’ Luka Don\u010di\u0107) or elite athletes, there are numerous ways to expose the gaps in a zone defense.

That said, a large reason why zone defenses occasionally appear is its ability to disrupt an opposing team’s offensive flow. And after being outscored 33-15 in the first quarter, that is exactly what the Magic needed to…