The Los Angeles Lakers won the opening tip Saturday night, but Orlando Magic reserve center Goga Bitadze let them know that it wasn’t going to be that easy.
The Lakers immediately went to the paint and 6-foot-10 big man Anthony Davis, but 6-foot-11 Bitadze was there to confront him, putting Davis’ shot attempt back in his face.
“Goga, he set the tone with that block on AD,” said Magic leading score Paolo Banchero, who had 25 points and 10 assists.
It was a telling start to an important victory for this young Orlando Magic bunch. Coach Jamahl Mosley has constantly preached to this team that defense is its ticket to success, and the players have bought in.
Bitadze ended the night with a double-double of 10 points plus 10 rebounds and, more importantly, swatted 5 Lakers shot attempts in the Magic’s 120-101 victory at the Amway Center, just five nights after losing to the Lakers 106-103 in Los Angeles.
“Our guys know it and I want everyone to know it. We’re gonna be a defensive team first,” Mosley said afterward. “We’re gonna sit down and guard. Whether we’re making shots or missing shots, you’re gonna have to see us defensively and that’s who this team has to be night in and night out to give ourselves a chance.”
They gave themselves much more than just a chance as the Magic dominated the Lakers for most of the contest. Davis did get a double-double of 28 points and 13 rebounds, but most of his production came early and much of his scoring was done on second-chance attempts.
LeBron James also got his points, scoring 24.
The Magic outrebounded Los Angeles 51-40 as they showed their aggressiveness on both ends of the floor. They had 32 defensive rebounds while the Lakers managed just 10 boards on offense.
Bitadze, who is from the country of Georgia on the southwest border of Russia, was the man in the paint. Bitadze, who started the game against the Lakers due to an injury to regular center Wendell Carter, altered shots all night and turned in an impressive performance worthy of a +/- rating of +27.
The No. 18 pick by the Indiana Pacers in the 2018 draft didn’t play college basketball but came to the NBA directly from the European professional leagues.
“I think he was fantastic,” Mosley said of Bitadze. “He stepped into the moment. … His number was called and he was ready to go … It’s what he’s done since he’s been here with us.
“He’s a heck of a pick-and-roll defender, and he does a great job protecting the rim as well as finishing possessions with a defensive rebound.”
Bitadze was not the only one, however, and Jalen Suggs and Anthony Black were also lauded by Mosley for their efforts. Black made his first NBA start, in for the injured Markelle Fultz, and the Magic did a tremendous job of forcing the pressure defensively.
“Obviously, Goga started it off with the first block,” Mosley said, “but Jalen’s pressure on the ball and not letting guys get comfortable is one thing, and then Anthony did a phenomenal job of guarding and defending without fouling.
“They have to set the tone. Those guards are the first line of defense and they have to be there to make sure that they’re covering up for the bigs, who are going to be at the rim ready to protect.”
Mosley’s message to the team afterward Saturday night was simple.
“Keep defending,” he said.
The Magic are back in action Monday night at Amway Center, taking on the Dallas Mavericks at 7 p.m.
![Magic rookie Anthony Black made his fourth start Tuesday night against the Nets. His teammates have noticed his confidence on the court. "I do like [that] he's got a little feistiness to him," Orlando center Moe Wagner said. "He talks a little smack sometimes which I like."](https://www.orlandosentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Magic-Nets-Basketball.jpg?w=525 "Magic rookie Anthony Black made his fourth start Tuesday night against the Nets. His teammates have noticed his confidence on the court. \"I do like [that] he's got a little feistiness to him,\" Orlando center Moe Wagner said. \"He talks a little smack sometimes which I like.\"")
