As the Orlando Magic tipped off their five-game Western Conference highway journey with a 115-101 win over the Golden State Warriors Saturday in San Francisco, they did so with a aim in thoughts: construct extra continuity.
They’re off to a superb begin.
The Magic (15-25) not solely beat the Warriors (20-20) — albeit a shorthanded model of the defending champions — to tug off the season sweep over the defending NBA champions, however they did so decisively.
Golden State began off sizzling with its taking pictures from past the arc, making 8 of its first 17 3-pointers to take a 29-28 lead going into the second quarter.
The Magic took over from there.
They swarmed the Warriors defensively, recording a season-high 12 steals and holding Golden State to 37.9% taking pictures from the sector (33 of 87) and 31.% (18 of 58) on 3-pointers.
Orlando dominated the paint (52 factors within the paint in comparison with Golden State’s 26) and took care of the basketball (simply 11 turnovers).
The Magic moved the ball crisply, recording 26 assists on 44 area objectives (50.6% taking pictures, 40.6% on 3s).
The outcome was Orlando choosing up its first win at Golden State since Dec. 3, 2012, snapping a nine-game highway shedding skid. It was additionally the Magic’s first season collection sweep over the Warriors for the reason that 2012-13 season.
Paolo Banchero led the Magic with 25 factors on 4-of-9 taking pictures on 3s.
Markelle Fultz performed arguably his finest recreation of the season, ending with 16 factors, 7 assists, 6 steals and 5 rebounds.
Franz Wagner added 24 factors on 9-of-16 taking pictures (3 of seven on 3s) whereas Cole Anthony contributed 16 factors, 7 rebounds and 5 assists off the bench. Wendell Carter Jr. had a 13-point/10-rebound double-double to go along with 3 assists.
Two-way ahead Anthony Lamb led the Warriors with 26 factors, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and a couple of steals off the bench.
The Magic lacked lineup cohesion for many of the season till guards Anthony and Fultz returned to the fold on Nov. 30. Orlando’s lineup obtained one other vital increase when Carter and Gary Harris returned on Dec. 23.
The return of Jalen Suggs (9 factors, 3 rebounds and a couple of blocks in 16 minutes), who was on a minutes restriction Saturday, in Thursday’s residence loss to the Memphis Grizzlies was one other step within the Magic having a extra full rotation.
“Just continue to grow,” coach Jamahl Mosley stated concerning the staff’s objectives for the rest of the season. “Create continuity with this group. Defensively, we talk about that being the place we want to hang our hat; offensively, being able to share and move the basketball. We just want to continue to grow, get better and develop these young guys to be the best players they can be.”
Moe Wagner (4 factors, 5 rebounds) was obtainable after being suspended by the league due to his function within the on-court altercation with the Detroit Pistons on Dec. 28.
He performed a big function earlier than being suspended, averaging 13.9 factors (51.5% taking pictures, 34.8% on 3s), 6.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 14 video games (27 minutes) as a starter.
“He’s one of our most vocal guys,” Mosley stated of Wagner, “so having him out there will be great.”
The Magic are 10-9 within the 19 video games since Anthony and Fultz returned in comparison with 5-17 beforehand — displaying the significance of lineup continuity.
Although they remained with no few gamers, the provision has improved, which can permit for higher evaluations.
Banchero, Carter, Fultz, Gary Harris and Franz Wagner began for the second consecutive recreation.
The nine-man rotation was: Fultz, Harris, Banchero, Carter, Franz Wagner; Anthony, Suggs, Moe Wagner and Terrence Ross (5 factors, 4 rebounds, 3 assists).
“What we have to really look at is being able to evaluate when we have a complete roster,” Mosley stated. “We’ve had guys in, guys out. We’ve had different evaluations of what this team can be. When we have a full roster, it’ll be a little bit different to evaluate where we are.”
Bol Bol (well being and security protocols), R.J. Hampton (G League task), Kevon Harris (transferred to G League as a part of his two-way contract), Jonathan Isaac (left knee damage restoration) and Chuma Okeke (left knee surgical procedure) weren’t obtainable.
Stephen Curry (left shoulder subluxation), JaMychal Green (contaminated proper decrease leg), Jonathan Kuminga (sprained proper foot) and James Wiseman (sprained left ankle) weren’t obtainable.
Klay Thompson was slated to start out however was dominated out proper earlier than tipoff due to left knee soreness.
Mosley stated Bol will be part of the staff on the highway as soon as he clears protocols. Hampton is anticipated to rejoin the Magic on Sunday forward of Monday’s matchup in opposition to the Kings. Isaac and Okeke didn’t journey.
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Khobi Price at [email protected] or comply with him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com