ORLANDO, FL – The Orlando Magic (13-21) defeated the San Antonio Spurs (10-22) 133-113 at the Amway Center on Friday.
The day marked continued play for the low seeded Magic, as their roster continues to strengthen with the return of key injured players.
The hero of the night was Cole Anthony who scored 23 points, with 10 rebounds and 9 assists in the game. Anthony scored in key points of a 19-3 fourths quarter streak during the fourth quarter for Orlando.
Franz Wagner continued his solid play on Friday with 21 points, Paolo Banchero scored 18, and Moritz Wagner contributed 17 points for the Magic.
San Antonio’s Keldon Johnson scored 17 points, leading the Spurs, with Tre Jones putting in 1 points and Devin Vassel scoring 14 points.
The night was also significant because of the return on Wendell Carter Jr. and Gary Harris to the Magic’s floor.
Carter, who is recovering from weeks of nursing a plantar fascia’s injury, played almost 19 minutes and scored 8 points with 4 rebounds and 2 assists. He’s slowly being worked back into the games.
Harris played a little over 20 minutes and 9 points with two rebounds and two assists.
It’s going to take time and there will be changes in the rotation of the roster and players return, and players understand that, a key one being Anthony, and Head Coach Jamal Mosley sees that he is up for the task.
“I was such great growth on his behalf,” Said Mosley “You know, understanding that, you know, there’s gonna be times in the game that he’s facilitating times that he can get it going, obviously for like flirting on the triple double but the one thing that I love the most and what we respect I respect that he respects the game that he didn’t chase a stat he just went after understanding and respecting the game and however we come away with a win no matter what numbers are put up”
Orlando has won eight of its last nine games and has won many of them convincingly. Friday’s game was an example of them fighting back and taking control of the game late.
Earlier in the season, the Magic would dominate in the first half, yet had disastrous third quarters or lose it on opposing team’s scoring streaks in the final minutes.
This “never give up” Magic squad is playing with confidence and will continue to fight as the roster strengthens every day.
Orlando welcomes the Los Angeles Lakers to the Amway Center on Tuesday December 27th.
