Last night Orlando were stung again by the Hornets as Charlotte took a 106-99 victory in the Amway Center.
Late in the third things were looking good for Orlando. Franz Wagner, Wendell Carter Jr and Mo Bamba each knocked down as the Magic scored 9 points unanswered to take a 6 point lead. However Charlotte responded and the Hornets gained control of the game with 15 unanswered points. The Hornets took a 5 point lead into the final quarter and with a shade under 5 minutes to play had pushed it out to a game high 12 points.
Terry Rozier led all scorers with 27 points followed by LaMelo Ball with 22. From the Charlotte bench Kelly Oubre Jr registered 21 points.
Top Performers For The Magic
With key absences Orlando were short handed but kept the game tight throughout. All five Magic starters scored in double figures, which was encouraging. Rookies Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner scored 17 and 16 points respectively.
Mo Bamba recorded his eighth double-double of the season with 18 points and 12 rebounds.
Wendell Carter Jr totalled a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds.
Moving On After Orlando Were Stung Again By The Hornets
On Friday night it is the return of Nikola Vucevic to the court he knows so well, now in the colours of the Chicago Bulls.
Chicago have an 12-7 winning record that sees them placed 3rd in the Eastern Conference, having won 6 of their last 10 games. They have lost their last two games. Last night in a shock loss they fell 113-118 on the road to the Houston Rockets. Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 8 points.
Orlando’s record is now a losing 4-15 with the Magic sitting last in the Eastern Conference. They have now lost 4 games consecutively and won only 2 of the last 10 played. At home Orlando have won only one of eight games played.
A review of last night’s loss can be read here by the Magic’s Josh Cohen on the Orlando Magic website.
