San Antonio vs. Orlando, Final Score: Spurs fall at home again, 95-83

It was the same old slow start at home with the Spurs playing down to their opposition and unorganized on offense. By the time Pop went to his bench with 3:29 left in the first quarter, the Spurs were 4-11 from the field with 5 TO’s but only down by one thanks to the Magic’s own offensive ineptitude. The bench did it’s job of getting the offense going, and the Spurs ended the quarter up 20-16, led by seven points from LaMarcus Aldridge.

The start of the second quarter went no better, although Dewayne Dedmon made his return felt against his old team with a quick 4 points, 4 rebounds and a block. A 9-0 run by the Magic led to a 24-27 deficit and timeout from Pop with 5:22 left in the half. Their lead would get as high as seven before the Spurs woke up just enough to retake the lead, only for Evan Fournier to hit a three at the buzzer to give the Magic a 45-43 halftime lead.

The Spurs were marginally better on offense (for a while) to start the third quarter but forgot how to play defense as Magic players were often left open, particularly old nemesis Serge Ibaka, who never misses a shot in San Antonio. The Magic continued to build the lead while feasting on Spurs turnovers, while at the other end the Spurs eventually couldn’t buy a bucket, even on open shots, and entered the fourth quarter down 75-64.

The Spurs opened the fourth with a little more desperation, but nothing would go right. Whether it was shots rattling out, lay-ups rolling off the rim, or 50-50 balls constantly going the Magic’s way, the Spurs couldn’t catch a break in this one. It was a horrid game all around, and the Spurs drop to 4-4 at home while shooting just 36.8% from the field with 18 turnovers.

Be sure to check back for more on this one. The Spurs are back in action tomorrow in Dallas at 7:30 PM.