A solid first quarter by Orlando saw the Magic win comfortably over Detroit in the Amway Center last night by 103-119. Orlando withstood each effort by the Pistons to fight back, making the most of a 39 to 19 points first quarter.
The Magic defence played a solid game all evening, making strong and stifling efforts. During January the Orlando ranks in the NBA’s top 10. The Magic played as a team, working hard to get back and to cover each other. Number 1 Draft Pick Cade Cunningham was held to only 8 points on 3 of 17 shooting. That was largely in part to the play of Jalen Suggs.
As with the defence the offence was a collective body of work. Unselfish ball movement, strong screens being set and intelligent positioning saw Orlando shoot a 49.4 field goal percentage and 48% with the three ball. They also accumulated 28 assists.
Magic Top Performances
Franz Wagner was unplayable at times, leading the team for 24 points. In his 50th NBA game, all as a starter he has scored double figures in 42, now having hit 20-points or more on 12 occasions.
Mo Bamba looked like the center we all want him to be. Mo recorded his 10th double-double of the season with 18 points and 11 rebounds.
Jalen Suggs was a defensive beast as he shut down Cade Cunningham. By the close he had 6 points, 1 rebound but most importantly 4 assists, 2 steals and a highlight reel chase back block.
Cole Anthony had influence on the team again. Cole recorded 12 points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds and a steal.
Wendell Carter Jr scored 9 points and took down 11 rebounds. His screen setting helped the team offence be as effective as it was.
Chuma Okeke gave the team solid minutes from the bench. 17 points came from 6-of-7 shooting, including hitting 3-of-4 from deep. Defensively he shone and made 3 blocks.
Terrence Ross lit the torch for 21 points.
Gary Harris finished with 10 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds and a steal off the bench.
Magic Starting Lineup – Cole Anthony (PG), Jalen Suggs (SG), Franz Wagner (SF), Wendell Carter Jr (PF), Mo Bamba (C)
Magic Bench Unit – Gary Harris, Terrence Ross, Chuma Okeke, Moe Wagner, Admiral Schofield, Ignas Brazdeikis, Robin Lopez (DNP)
Moving Forward After The Magic Win Comfortably Over Detroit
Josh Cohen’s game reviews are available on the Orlando Magic website.
Orlando’s record is now 10 wins and 40 losses, leaving the Magic still adrift at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. They also hold the worst record in the NBA. Of the last 10 games played the Magic have won 3. The home record stands at 4 wins of 22 games played, whilst on the road it is 6 wins in 28 played. In points per game the Magic improved in both categories, scoring 102.4 whilst conceding 110.4. The over all rating for the Magic remains 28th on offence but improved to 21st defensively.
Orlando next play the final game of this five game home-stand, seeing the Magic take on the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday 30th January.
The Dallas Mavericks.
Dallas last played on Tuesday night. Head Coach Jason Kidd saw his team get destroyed on the road to the Golden State Warriors by 92-130. Luka Doncic led the team with 25 points.
Starting Line-up: Luka Doncic (PG), Jalen Brunson (SG), Dorian Finney-Smith (SF), Maxi Kleber (PF), Kristaps Porzingis (C).
Bench Unit: Tim Hardaway Jr, Dwight Powell, Reggie Bullock, Marquese Chriss, Trey Burke, Frank Ntilikina, Josh Green, Theo Pinson, Boban Marjanovic (DNP)
Dallas have a record of 28 wins and 21 losses, which sees the Mavericks at the 5th seed in the Western Conference. Of the last 10 games played Dallas have won 7. The road record stands at 13 wins of 25 games played. In points per game the Mavericks score 105.5 whilst conceding 103.3, rating 21st on offence and 5th defensively.
Dallas play tonight (Saturday 29th) at home to the Indiana Pacers before travelling to Orlando for what will be for Dallas the second night of a back-to-back. The Mavericks will be without both Tim Hardaway Jr and Sterling Brown to long term injury.
