Orlando Magic PG Cole Anthony on No. 1 Defense: 'We Strap Up!'
The Orlando Magic has been playing some great basketball as of late, especially on the defensive side of the ball. And the team's No. 1 defensive rating has led it to wins.
In Tuesday's win against the Toronto Raptors in In-Season Tournament action, the Magic's defense was the driving force. The team forced 24 turnovers over the course of the game and racked up 12 steals. This was the biggest factor in the Magic's commanding 126-107 win.
After Tuesday's win, the Magic is now tied for number one in the league in defensive rating, and it is going to lead the team to key wins. Cole Anthony talked about how impactful the team's defense is in his postgame interview on Tuesday.
Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (4) drives past Toronto Raptors guard Gary Trent Jr. (33) in Tuesday's win
Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
"We strap up... simple as that," Anthony said. "We take pride, and we've got a few dudes on this team between Jalen (Suggs) and JI (Jonathan Isaac), who I like to call the heads of the snake on the defensive end. Those are two dudes who have All-Defensive Team potential. When I'm on the bench watching how hard Jalen plays on that defensive end, it makes me want to go out there and guard, cause that energy is contagious."
Suggs finished the game with a couple of steals and was the main reason the Raptors looked as uncomfortable as they did on offense. Because whenever the ball is near Suggs, you have to be extra careful, or else it's going to be ripped from your hands. Suggs could be one of the key factors when it comes to this Magic team being the best defensive team in the NBA.
"Coach Mosley has instilled into us that we can be the best defensive team in the league," Anthony said. "And I think that we have been showing that so far."
The Magic will have a big chance to show how good its defense is as the team faces off tonight against Nikola Jokić and the reigning champion Denver Nuggets. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET from the Amway Center.
