During the first 12 minutes of Sunday’s game between the Magic and Grizzlies in London, Orlando missed all seven of its 3-point attempts, allowed Memphis to shoot 6 for 11 from beyond the arc and turned the ball over three times.

As the mistakes piled up for Jamahl Mosley‘s squad, the deficit, which grew to 33 points in the first half, became insurmountable for the Magic in the 126-109 loss at O2 Arena in front of a global audience on Amazon Prime Video.

Unlike last Thursday’s game in Berlin where Orlando was able overcome a 20-point deficit to win by seven, the Grizzlies’ lead never shrunk down to 15 points or fewer, let alone single digits.

So, what was the difference?

In the eyes of Magic forward Paolo Banchero, it was Memphis star Ja Morant, who returned from injury after six games and had 24 points and 13 rebounds in 28 minutes,

“He creates so much for their team off the dribble with his talent so you can’t really gameplan for that,” Banchero said after the 17-point loss. “I don’t think they did much differently. They played the same style, fast-paced, but they had probably their best player out there today.”

Added Mosley about Morant: “His speed, his intensity, his energy level when he gets on the court, he’s a tough guard. He’s a lightning bolt getting downhill.”

Another key difference was the absence of Orlando backup center Moe Wagner, who sat due to left knee injury management after playing in just his second contest Thursday following more than a year-long rehab of a torn left ACL.

Missing Wagner and guard Jalen Suggs (who sat out his seventh game with a right knee MCL bruise), Orlando was without two of its top energy-providers against the Grizzlies, who only grew more explosive with Morant back.

But one common theme between the two contests, regardless of who was available, was Orlando’s lack of urgency from the jump. The Magic were outscored 79-46 in the first quarters combined against Memphis (18-23).

“Both games we started down big,” Banchero said. “Germany, we came back, (Sunday) we didn’t. So, not something we want to continue, going down early.”

Orlando traveled home Monday and will recoup Tuesday before hitting the practice court Wednesday ahead of hosting the Hornets at Kia Center on Thursday.

And not all was lost on the trip that saw the Magic split a pair of games with Memphis. Entering Monday’s slate of games, No. 7 Orlando (23-19) was only one game back of No. 4 Toronto (25-19) and just two games back of No. 3 New York (25-17).

But the Magic are aware they haven’t played up to their standard as of late, going 5-5 in their last 10.

“There’s things we’re going to have to correct and clean up — that’s with every game whether you win or lose,” Mosley said. “Our ability to start a little stronger, learn a little faster and have sense of urgency to start the game is something that was trending. So, we’ve got to make sure we clean that up.”

Although the slow starts have persisted for the Magic — and before that, it was poor endings — Banchero doesn’t believe the group has waved the white flag on the season.

They’re not pleased with where they stand at this point in the season, either.

“The group is together,” Banchero said. “We all trust each other [and] have each other’s backs. Heading into this back-half, we need to find a way to string some consistent basketball together and get wins. Hopefully we can go on a streak here because we’re right in the middle of the standings. That could do a lot for us.

“I know we’re in the [spot to make the] playoffs right now, but you can’t be complacent with that,” he added. “You’ve got to try to fight for homecourt and get [a] top seed.”

Starting with Thursday’s game against Charlotte, Orlando’s schedule includes games every other day leading into the league’s All-Star break that stretch Feb. 12-17. So while there aren’t any back-to-backs the next 11 games, there also isn’t much time off before All-Star weekend, which takes place in Los Angeles.

The NBA trade deadline is set for Feb. 5 at 3 p.m. ET as well.

With less than half the regular season remaining, the Magic recognize the amount of time left to rise in the East is fading, but they aren’t putting a ceiling on themselves.

“We’re talented enough to go all the way,” Banchero said. “But at the end of the day, we’ve got to start playing better and we’ve got to go out there and win games. We can’t just say it. We can’t just say we’re going to do this or we’re going to make it this far.

“We’ve been out the first round two straight years, so we have to go prove that we’re better than that and we can advance in the playoffs,” he added. “Obviously, I’m going to think highly of the team and the rest of the guys do (too), but (as) I said, we have to go and prove it this season.”

Jason Beede can be reached at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com

Up next …

Magic vs. Hornets

When: 7 p.m., Thursday, Kia Center

TV: FanDuel Sports Network Florida