Gary Harris is a senior military man. However, he is performing as the Orlando Magic’s long-range threat.
Gary Harris is playing a role that the Orlando Magic need even though he is getting close to his thirty years old and does not exactly suit the younger wave of players on the squad. As the Magic’s go-to three-point shooter, Harris has filled up some crucial gaps for the starting lineup.
Harris has had to cope with injuries and a lot of questions. However, the Magic are aware that he is a dependable shooter and floor spacer when he is well. He is a seasoned player who can compete defensively and is always in the right place.
Harris disappears into the background with ease. However, that is his responsibility. He offers assistance to the Magic player.
More than anything, Orlando needed him to improve his 3-point shooting. This year, that has been a significant component lacking. And a significant portion that has recovered as the Magic have risen up the standings.
Harris’s point average is the lowest it has been since his rookie campaign, at just 7.2 per game. His three-point percentage is 38.1 percent. Due to a right calf injury, he has only played in 39 games. As he continues to miss games on the second night of back-to-backs, he is once again QUESTIONABLE for Wednesday’s game against the Washington Wizards.
Only three times in his 11-year career has Harris played more than 60 games in a season due to injuries he has sustained throughout his career. This year, he won’t reach that milestone.
The Magic know they need him to be a shooter while he’s on the ground. The fact that he can make 3-pointers is his value. Additionally, Harris is improving as the season nears the postseason, particularly in the last month.
In February, he made 33 attempts overall (three attempts per game) and hit 48.5 percent from three. Since playing in just four games in November, this was Harris’ greatest shooting month to date. He made multiple 3-pointers in six different games, and he has done so again in the first two games of March.
For him, it is undoubtedly a boost from the start of the season.
Harris, who is at last fit and playing regularly, has given the Magic the consistent shooting that they have needed.
The last five games, including Tuesday’s matchup with the Charlotte Hornets, have seen Harris start from the starting lineup. In that time, he has made 15 of 23 3-pointers while averaging 9.6 points per game. Orlando has a 6-0 record throughout that time when he starts. In order to assist the Magic win that game, Harris scored nine points and made both of his 3-point attempts.
After 119 minutes together (over nine games), the Magic’s starting lineup featuring Harris had a +11.4 net rating. When they play together, Orlando has an offensive rating of 113.9 and a defensive rating of 102.4. That is one of the Magic’s most effective and often used lineups.
Foremost among them is Harris. He provides them with a dependable shooter in the opening group.
Has the Magic’s infamous problems with three-point shooting been alleviated as a result?
He has a significant influence on the team’s shooting because he is Orlando’s third-best three-point shooter (38.1 percent) among players who play at least 20 minutes per game.
With a 35.3 percent three-point shooting percentage, the Magic rank 25th in the NBA. Although that is not very remarkable, it is an improvement over their position on February 5th, when they were ranked 28th in the league, one month prior. Harris began assembling it in part during that month.
Harris’s three-point shooting average over his last five games provides a useful sample size for examining his success. In four of those five games, he has attempted at least four three-point shots and has made at least two of them.
In games where Harris hits at least two three-pointers, Orlando is 13-5 as a team. Harris does not require the Magic to pursue 3-pointers. Since Harris is the least used player in the starting lineup, it usually indicates that the ball is moving when he gets his shots.
When Harris makes threes, the offense is usually lively and in good shape. Harris requires others to elevate him.
The Magic have scored at least 108 points in each of their previous five victories, and their scoring has appeared consistent over the course of those six games because to Harris’ extremely effective shooting. After six games, the Magic’s offensive rating of 112.5 puts them in the center of the NBA standings rather than near the bottom.
Harris, who suffered from injuries in January, has made significant progress for Orlando. Orlando had a 6–10 record in that month. His amazing three-point shooting in February contributed to the team’s increased three-point shooting and the Magic’s fantastic 9-3 record for that month.
