Shorthanded Magic get trounced by Timberwolves 126-108
ORLANDO, FL – It was another night of catch up for the Orlando Magic as they were blown out by the Minnesota Timberwolves 126-108.
On a night where Orlando had to add Wendell Carter Jr to it’s list of wounded players, leaving a gap in the big bodies in the paint, which is hardly how you would want to have with the Minnesota Timberwolves coming to town.
The Wolves made a big splash this off season by acquiring Rudy Gobert from the Utah Jazz for a slew of draft picks. So Minnesota comes into town with Gobert, added to premium big man Karl Anthony Townes.
Townes managed to score 30 points on the Magic, while guard Anthony Edwards, who scored 35 points for the wolves, and shot 53% from behind the arc. Gobert scored 18 points with 8 rebounds, but his presence in the paint always forces opponents to alter their shots.
as for Orlando’s turnover problems, they managed to lower the number, but not the impact. They gave up 16 turnovers, but that led to 22 Minnesota points.
Orlando didn’t have the beef of Carter, and put Mo Bamba and Bol Bol to work.
Bol just happened to be celebrating his 23rd birthday on Wednesday, and as a celebration, he scored a career high 26 points, with 12 rebounds, and three blocked shots.
Jalen Suggs also had a string night, with 23 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists.
Orlando never had a lead in the game. They managed to hold their own with points in the paint, but the Wolves dominated in fast breaks 30 to 9, showing that they still need work in their fast break defense.
Suggs slumped down late in the game, apparently from rolling his ankle after chasing down a ball towards the stands.
But again, Orlando is severely short haded, with Cole Anthony, Markell Fultz, And Gary Harris in juries, new Phenom Paolo Banchero still nursing a sprained ankle, and Jonathan Isaak still working on recovering from a devastating knee injury.
Orlando is forced to limp through these games and do the best that a they can.
They were already pegged to be one of the worst teams in the league, and that was with their full roster, so every win they they can muster up at this point is a real plus.
Orlando managed to go 3-4 over this home stand, which is great under the circumstances. With the wins over Golden State, Dallas, and Phoenix, the team is making some noise around the league.