The Lead
Gary Harris matched his season high with 22 points, Franz Wagner scored 20, and Paolo Banchero filled up the stat sheet with 18 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, as the Orlando Magic snapped their seven-game losing streak to the Washington Wizards with Tuesday’s 122-112 victory at Amway Center.
Clutch Moments
The Magic pulled away from the Wizards down the stretch by making their final four floor shots. The first of them – a Wendell Carter Jr. corner 3-pointer with 3:21 left – extended Orlando’s lead to seven. Markelle Fultz, after splitting a pair at the stripe, connected on a floater; Harris drilled one of his six 3-pointers; and Banchero made a mid-range turnaround with 51 seconds remaining to ice it.
Key Stats
The Magic outrebounded the Wizards 42-33 and outscored them in the paint 52-46. They also were efficient from 3-point range, making 12 of their 27 attempts (44.4 percent). Washington only shot 31.3 percent from downtown. Overall, Orlando shot 53.8 percent from the field, tied for their sixth-best mark this season.
Interesting Fact
With nine games left on their regular season schedule, the Magic have now won 30 games, eight more than last year. They are 25-23 since starting 5-20.
Quote of the Day
“I do think that for a young team, it helps … because the long-term road seems so far sometimes that it’s difficult to get up in the morning if you work for something that seems to be down the road. These short-term goals help us [stay motivated], stay locked in on a day-to-day basis, and connect even more than we would do if we played for something next year. I think having that in mind and really putting the league on notice that the Orlando Magic are doing something and going in the [right] direction. That means a lot to these guys.” - Moe Wagner, who scored 15 points off the bench, on playing meaningful games late in the season
Injury/Inactive Report
Jalen Suggs (concussion) and Jonathan Isaac (left adductor surgery) were out for the Magic. Kyle Kuzma (right ankle sprain) was unavailable for the Wizards.
This Day in History
One of the Magic’s more impressive wins of the pre-Shaquille O’Neal era came on March 21, 1992 when they defeated Michael Jordan and the Bulls in Chicago. Terry Catledge led the Magic with 20 points, Bison Dele scored 19 and Stanley Roberts had 18. Scottie Pippen led Chicago with 27 points, while Jordan had 25. The Bulls would go on to win their second consecutive NBA championship that season.
Rivals Report
The Wizards have been Jekyll-and-Hyde all season. They had a stretch in November in which they won six of seven. They also won six out of seven in late December and then 12 of 19 shortly before the All-Star break. But they’ve also had some brutal stretches, like when they lost 10 straight in late November/early December. They’ve now lost eight of their last 10. Two-and-a-half games back of Chicago for the final play-in tournament spot, Washington will have to heat up again if they want to play beyond the regular season.
Up Next
The Magic’s three-game homestand continues Thursday when they welcome the New York Knicks to town for a 7 p.m. tipoff. This will be the third and final meeting between them this season, with the Knicks currently holding a 2-0 series advantage. Julius Randle, Jalen Brunson, and RJ Barrett all scored 20-plus points in New York’s victory over Orlando at MSG on Oct. 24. On Feb. 7, at Amway Center, Brunson hit a few clutch floor shots and free throws to lift the Knicks. Banchero led the Magic in the first of those contests with 21 points, while Fultz scored a team-high 21 in the second clash.