Through all of the weirdness and stoppages that Sunday’s 128-102 house win over the Detroit Pistons introduced, the Orlando Magic’s hopes of qualifying for the play-in event are nonetheless intact.
Barely.
The Magic’s victory, their sixth win in eight video games, introduced them to 34-44 on the season — a 12-win enchancment over final 12 months’s file with 4 extra regular-season video games to play.
“Very pleased,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley stated. “They did a really good job of taking on that challenge. We challenged them before the game saying how we have to start games. Our guys did a great job of that defensively, as well as offensively sharing the basketball.”
But outcomes from different Sunday matchups made each Magic recreation for the remainder of the common season must-wins to maintain their play-in hopes alive.
First: the Toronto Raptors (39-39) beat the Charlotte Hornets 128-108 to make sure the Magic couldn’t end the season greater than No. 9 within the Eastern Conference standings.
Second: the Chicago Bulls (38-40) got here again from a 15-point halftime deficit to beat the Memphis Grizzlies 128-107.
The Magic stay 4 video games behind Chicago for the No. 10 seed within the East, however Orlando’s “magic” quantity is now one, which means the Magic can be eradicated from play-in competition with the Bulls’ subsequent win or the Magic’s subsequent loss.
They made positive that didn’t occur Sunday, pulling off a dominant victory in entrance of an introduced attendance of 19,431 folks — the fourth-largest in workforce historical past.
The Magic jumped out to a 20-8 lead early within the first quarter and didn’t let up at any level, taking a 34-29 lead going into the second.
Even throughout a second quarter that featured a number of stoppages due to shot- or game-clock malfunctions, the Magic maintained focus. The first half lasted 1 hour and 16 minutes. Most first halves are lower than an hour lengthy.
Orlando outscored Detroit 29-15 and 28-24 in second and third quarters, respectively, making the ultimate quarter primarily prolonged rubbish time after taking a 91-68 lead going into the fourth.
The Magic’s offense was as soon as once more well-balanced, with Jalen Suggs main the way in which with 18 factors (5-of-9 taking pictures, 4 of 6 on 3s).
Eight gamers scored in double figures, with the Magic having 30 assists on 43 discipline targets and tying a season-high 17 3-pointers.
“We have a lot of weapons on this team,” Anthony stated. “When we get out there and just play very selflessly, it’s fun. We defended. Happy we got the dub, on to the next one.”
Franz Wagner (16 factors, 8 assists and 5 rebounds), Paolo Banchero (14 factors, 9 rebounds and three assists), Wendell Carter Jr. (14 factors, 9 rebounds in 23 minutes) and Markelle Fultz (11 factors, 6 assists in 24 minutes) have been among the many starters who scored at the least 10 factors.
Cole Anthony (17 factors, 6 rebounds and three assists), Goga Bitadze (13 factors, 3 rebounds and three assists in 18 minutes earlier than fouling out) and Moe Wagner (11 factors in 18 minutes) scored in double figures off the bench.
Chuma Okeke (3 factors) was within the rotation and performed 11 minutes, his most taking part in time since Feb. 14. Two-way wing Jay Scrubb (2 factors, 1 rebound) made his Magic debut and Michael Carter-Williams made his season debut late within the fourth.
The Pistons (16-62) have been led by Killian Hayes’ 20 factors and seven assists.
The Magic will play back-to-back video games towards the Cleveland Cavaliers Tuesday and Thursday at Amway Center to shut out their regular-season house schedule.
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