ORLANDO – The Orlando Magic (12-5) beat the Charlotte Hornets (5-10) on Sunday at Amway Center. This game matches a season-high score for the Magic, who are on a 7-game winning streak that included beating solid teams like the Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics.
Franz Wagner and Cole Anthony both led the Magic with 30 points each, while Paolo Banchero added another 23 points in the game.
The Magic have won these games with tough, physical play and a corporate responsibility mindset. You never know who will step up in each game to make the win happen.
Charlotte came into Orlando with the usual cast of characters that give Orlando trouble, namely Terry Rozier, Gordon Hayward, and newly returned Miles Bridges.
Bridges had a double-double in the game with 23 points and 10 rebounds, while Rozier wasn’t far behind with 22 points and nine assists.
Orlando continued its trends in the streak, dominating the points in the paint over Charlotte 74-60 and outscoring their opponents’ bench, in this case, 52-43.
LaMelo Ball only managed 7 points in his 14 minutes of play before injuring his ankle and being carted off the court.
This was an up-and-down game with 4 lead changes. Orlando eventually built a 16-point lead while keeping Charlotte back by eight or nine points for much of the fourth quarter.
Exceptional effort in the game by Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner, and Cole Anthony, all at times winding up on the floor as they battled for the win. But Orlando has developed a poise while in these battles.
“It shows the maturity of the group,” Mosley said. “Knowing exactly the highs of the last two games but being able to walk in here and look at a team not with a great record but a very capable and good basketball team to take care of business and finish the game out.”
The Magic return to the court on Wednesday to begin a two-day series against the Washington Wizards in Orlando at Amway Center.
