ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando Magic finally found their rhythm and took control of the game when it mattered most. After struggling to find their footing during the first half against the injury-riddled Charlotte Hornets, the Magic rallied to secure a decisive 102-86 victory on Wednesday night at the Amway Center.
Paolo Banchero led the charge for the Magic, contributing 24 points and pulling down eight rebounds. He was well-supported by Franz Wagner with 16 points and seven rebounds, and Anthony Black added 18 points off the bench to solidify the win.
The night didn’t start off smoothly for the Magic, as they fell flat with only 44 points at halftime. They were shooting poorly, finishing the first half with only 34% from the field and making just 5 of their 21 attempts from three-point range. With such dismal shooting, they managed to hold the score at 55-55 with Charlotte before the break.
"It was emphasizing getting stops on the other end and on defense. That's going to lead to us making shots," Banchero remarked after the game, highlighting the shift necessary for the team to secure the victory.
Conversely, the Hornets were struggling with numerous injuries, including key players LaMelo Ball and Moussa Diabate. Miles Bridges led Charlotte with 19 points and eight rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to secure their fourth consecutive loss, leaving their season record at 13 wins.
The turning point for the Magic came only minutes after the third quarter began, as they fell behind by five points. Banchero and Cole Anthony ignited the offense, each sinking two three-pointers. This quick scoring surge propelled the Magic to take control of the game, extending their lead to 12 points just minutes later.
Coach Jamahl Mosley, aware of the potential pitfalls of underestimaging their opponent, emphasized the need for focus. "You speak the truth to exactly what it is. We've had games where we've overlooked teams, and those are the teams you look back on and say, 'That's one we could've got,'" Mosley stated.
The star-studded sequence of play transformed what looked like another missed opportunity for the Magic. Following the tension-filled first half, where the game saw the ejections of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Nick Smith Jr. after heated verbal exchanges, the squad focused their energy on executing defensively.
Magic players embraced the challenge and finished the quarter with a dominating 33-19 effort. The third quarter showcased Banchero's assertiveness as he scored 12 points, playing pivotal roles on both ends of the court. Not only did he lead the offense, but he also made sure his teammates caught the momentum shift.
"The word we used is finish. Finish this game, finish the possessions, finishing out strong," said Mosley, encapsulating the intent behind their strong second-half performance.
Orlando’s rise to victory aligned with more efficient shooting, as they improved to 50% from the field and made 9 of 22 attempts from three-point range during the final two quarters. The Magic went from being the worst three-point shooting team (with just 23% first-half accuracy) to lighting it up from beyond the arc after halftime.
“Our ability to continue to step in with confidence, knock the shots down, and keep moving the ball... that's how the game opened up,” coach Mosley noted, implying how the game plan was executed flawlessly as confidence grew.
Franz Wagner also reflected the importance of team dynamics, saying, "It's also just good to check on your teammates within a game. That goes a long way I think." A cohesive team effort was apparent as the players rallied, demonstrating synergy on both offense and defense.
Despite overcoming the initial struggles, the Magic are not out of the woods yet. They will need to continue building on this momentum heading to their next match against the Atlanta Hawks on February 20. After the All-Star break, Orlando will have 26 games left to capitalize and potentially improve their standing within playoff contention.
This game served as much more than just another win; it represented the Magic’s resilience and collective effort moving forward. With their playoffs dreams still alive, the team will need everyone on board to create the success they aspire to achieve this season.