After their 136-111 Monday loss to the Sacramento Kings, coach Jamahl Mosley reminded the Orlando Magic that they wanted to have a defense-first method for the West Coast highway journey.
The message was acquired.
The Magic locked in defensively to choose up their second victory of the five-game highway swing, a 109-106 Tuesday win over the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center.
Orlando held Portland to 23 or fewer factors within the first and third quarters, permitting the Magic to take an 82-73 lead heading into the fourth.
From there, Franz Wagner took over.
He scored 15 of his 29 factors within the fourth, together with a pull-up 3 to provide the Magic a 104-94 lead with 3:35 remaining.
The Blazers didn’t go away simple, happening a 7-1 run to convey the Magic’s lead right down to 105-101 with 1:32 left.
But Paolo Banchero (19 factors, 10 rebounds, 3 steals) and Markelle Fultz (18 factors, 7 assists, 3 rebounds) knocked down 4 free throws within the remaining 1 1/2 minutes to assist the Magic pull out the win.
The Blazers (19-21) missed three consecutive 3s on their remaining possession, giving the Magic (16-26) their first victory on the second evening of a back-to-back of the season.
Damian Lillard led Portland with 30 factors.
The Magic will get a few days off earlier than enjoying the Utah Jazz on Friday.
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