The Orlando Magic needed to play with out rookie ahead Paolo Banchero, their main scorer, for the primary time in Wednesday’s dwelling sport vs. the Dallas Mavericks.
While his absence was felt, particularly offensively, the Magic (3-9) locked in defensively to select up a 94-87 victory over the Mavericks (6-4) at Amway Center for the second win of their seven-game homestand.
The Mavericks’ factors have been a season-low and the fewest the Magic have held a workforce to this season.
“I’m so proud of these guys,” coach Jamahl Mosley mentioned. “They did a heck of a job sticking with the gameplan.”
With Banchero sidelined, second-year ahead Franz Wagner led the Magic with 22 factors (9-of-17 capturing), 6 assists and three rebounds.
He was considered one of 5 Magic gamers who scored not less than 10 factors.
Orlando held Luka Dončić, who entered Wednesday averaging 36 factors, to a season-low 24 factors on 9-of-29 capturing to go along with 6 rebounds and 6 assists. It ended his streak of consecutive video games scoring not less than 30 factors to start out the season at 9.
Chuma Okeke, who stepped into the beginning lineup alongside Wagner, Jalen Suggs, Bol Bol and Wendell Carter Jr., was the first defender on Dončić.
“He did a great job,” Mosley mentioned. “He did a great job staying on his body and showing his hands.”
The Magic dominated Banchero out pregame due to a sprained left ankle he suffered in Monday’s 134-127 loss to the Houston Rockets at Amway Center.
“He’ll be day to day,” Mosley mentioned. “He’s moving around a little bit but probably more sore than anything.”
Banchero, the No. 1 decide in June’s draft, was added to the workforce’s night harm report on Tuesday, listed as questionable till two hours earlier than tipoff.
He rolled the ankle on a drive to the basket with 2:51 remaining towards the Rockets.
Banchero did end Monday’s sport, recording 30 factors on 8-of-16 capturing and 12 of 14 on free throws to go along with 6 rebounds and 4 assists in 35 minutes.
He was considered one of 5 Magic gamers who had performed in all 11 video games getting into Wednesday and considered one of three, together with Carter Jr. and Wagner, to start out each matchup.
Banchero was averaging a team-high 23.5 factors, which is also probably the most amongst rookies and twenty first amongst all gamers, to go along with 8.3 rebounds and three.6 assists in 34.6 minutes getting into Wednesday.
Two-way guard Kevon Harris additionally was dominated out due to a left rib contusion.
Cole Anthony (torn proper inner indirect), Markelle Fultz (fractured left huge toe), Gary Harris (left knee harm restoration), Jonathan Isaac (left knee harm restoration) and Moe Wagner (sprained proper midfoot) stay sidelined.
“The great part about this team is they each step into a role,” Mosley mentioned. “They know when their numbers are called, they’ll be ready. You saw that the other night with Mo Bamba. You see that with what Kevon has done being able to step in. With guys being out, other guys are going to step into that role and they do it willingly.”
Wednesday’s sport tipped off at 5:30 p.m., 1½ hours sooner than initially scheduled, due to Hurricane Nicole. There was an introduced attendance of 18,165 regardless of the change.
To honor the boys, ladies and their households for his or her service, the Magic and L3Harris teamed up for the nineteenth consecutive season to host Seats for Soldiers Night on Wednesday.
As a part of the occasion, the complete Magic workforce honored deceased troopers by holding their jerseys with every soldier’s identify listed on the again earlier than the nationwide anthem. Each participant signed the jersey that was given to the households of the troopers.
More than 2,200 lively and retired army personnel and their households attended the sport, with L3Harris and the Magic offering two hospitality suites to the sport for Central Florida army personnel.
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Khobi Price at [email protected] or comply with him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com