Coach Steve Clifford was trying to strike two very different cords following the Orlando Magic’s disheartening 120-95 loss to the LA Clippers on Friday.
On one hand, there was the clear message that his team’s effort in the game was not enough. On that, no one could disagree.
A Clippers team on a difficult back-to-back outhustled the Magic throughout the entire game. Orlando already playing with a small margin for error simply cannot afford that to happen. The energy alone was enough to build a lead and the poor execution only compounded it.