Orlando Magic roll to preseason win over Memphis Grizzlies

Magic forward Jonathan Isaac gave Orlando fans at Amway Center a glimpse of what they can expect to see if the former FSU star stays healthy.

The lanky 6-foot-10 Isaac had a pair of highlight-reel dunks in the first half Wednesday night and he scored 15 points, helping lead Orlando to a 102-86 victory over Memphis during the fourth preseason game for the home team (2-2).

“As the course of the game went on, I definitely felt more and more comfortable. Getting rebounds and getting defensive stops really calmed me down and allowed me to hit some shots,” said Isaac, who also had a pair of 3-pointers in the third quarter when the Magic pulled away.

He also gave the fans another scare, however, when he ran the court after a steal looking to take the ball to the hole in the third quarter but was tripped up by Memphis’ JaMychal Green. He landed quite awkwardly and it was a bit of a scary moment, but not for Isaac.

“My teammates [were] joking with me, ‘Man, you’re about to be out again,’ but I’m OK. I’m good,” he said.

Isaac, though saddled with foul trouble early after picking up his third personal only about six minutes into the contest, did not lose his aggressiveness. He left the game after the third foul and picked up his fourth foul shortly after re-entry in the second quarter, but he remained a threat.

Both Isaac highlight dunks came late in the second quarter. He snagged an offensive rebound while flying down the lane, throwing it back down with authority. About a minute later, he was on the break with point guard D.J. Augustin, who launched a pass toward the rim. Isaac finished that with another exclamation-point dunk as if to say, “I’m back.”

“I tried my best not to let [the fouls] take away my aggressiveness defensively,” Isaac said. “A couple of them I didn’t think were fouls, but the league is starting to change its rules a little bit, so I gotta adapt.”

Magic coach Steve Clifford said it was the defensive side of the court that impressed him about Isaac’s performance.

“He makes such a difference. … He just plays in a way that he helps his teammates play better,” Clifford said. “He makes simple plays on offense, he’s always in the right spots, he’s very smart, he doesn’t over play … and then his defense … his team defense is so good, so good. … He’s just a good player.”

Isaac, who played just 27 games last season because of injuries, started the game, his first since spraining his ankle in the first half of the preseason opener last week at Philadelphia. He played 17 minutes Wednesday night.

Wes Iwundu started in Isaac’s place the past two games while Isaac recovered from the ankle sprain.

Rookie center/forward Mohamed Bamba sat out Wednesday with a bruised wrist he suffered at Miami on Monday night. The other four starters were the usuals — Aaron Gordon, Nikola Vucevic, Evan Fournier and Augustin.

The entire starting lineup was on the bench nine minutes into the game, however, and Clifford went with a lineup of reserve players for nearly eight minutes. Iwundu, Jarell Martin, Melvin Frazier Jr., Jerian Grant and Khem Birch were impressive in place of the regulars, not only keeping pace with the Grizzlies but building a lead that would become a 54-41 margin at halftime.

Grant and Frazier led the way in the first half with seven points apiece as Clifford got a chance to see what the little-used lineup could do. Grant finished with nine points. Frazier showed offensive flashes in the first half, the most impressive coming on a drive up the left side when he switched to his left hand and scored off the glass. Frazier had 10 points in the game, although two came on a long, unintentional bank shot.

Martin hit two 3-pointer against his former team and had 10 points.

“Yeah, I got it going a little bit. My teammates made it easier. They were penetrating and getting me some open looks and I was able to knock them down,” said Martin, who was traded from Memphis to Orlando during the summer. “It felt good being out there on the floor and battling, going against my old team. …

“There was a little fire. I was ready for this game, just to go against them after the trade. I was really amped about this game.”

Isaac kept rolling to start the second half, hitting a pair of 3-pointers as the Magic bolted out to a 15-point lead, their biggest to that point. Isaac also had eight rebounds and Augustin had six assists.

The usually consistent and solid Vucevic was a bit off Wednesday. The 7-footer, who had been the Magic’s top performer in the first three games with averages of 21 points and eight rebounds, hit just 3 of 10 shots and had seven points. Vucevic did manage 11 rebounds.

Fournier, who has struggled with his shot all preseason, was also 3 of 10 on field goals.

Gordon, who shared team-high scoring honors with Isaac at 15 points, got hot in the third quarter, hitting a 3-pointer and a turn-around jumper off the side of the free-throw line, and Orlando started blowing the game open. Birch scored on a nice reverse layup and the Magic were up 20 with two minutes left in the third. Martin added his second 3-pointer of the game and Birch hit a baseline jumper and the Magic led 86-62 heading into the final period.

Three other Magic players missed the game. Terrence Ross (foot) sat out his third straight game, Timofey Mozgov (dislocated finger) has yet to play, and Jonathon Simmons missed the contest due to a personal matter.

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