Magic Snap Losing Skid


Orlando, FL— After playing their third game in four nights, the Magic snapped their two-game losing streak and beat the 76ers this evening 104-99. With multiple injuries, both before the game and during it, Cole Anthony stepped up to lead the way for the Magic with a huge performance, and Paolo Banchero, Anthony Black, and Jonathan Isaac all chipped in on both ends of the court to make life tough for a batter 76ers team in Orlando. 

Injuries Plague Orlando and Philadelphia

Both Orlando and Philadelphia came into tonight’s game with a ton of injuries. The Sixers were without Caleb Martin (groin), Joel Embiid (foot), Andre Drummond (toe), Kyle Lowry (hip), Jared McCain (knee), and KJ Martin (foot). 

The Magic were without Kentavious Cadlwell-Pope (knee), Jett Howard (ankle), Gary Harris (hamstring), Jalen Suggs (back), Franz Wagner (oblique), and Moe Wagner (knee) to begin the game.

Unfortunately for Orlando, matters only seemed to get worse as Tristan da Silva (illness), checked out of the game after one minute of play and would not return back to the game. Late in the second quarter Goga Bitadze (right hip contusion) appeared in a lot of pain and would leave the game and also not return. On the bright side, Jalen Suggs returned to the bench and was able to be with the team this evening. 

Cole Anthony Lifts Orlando

Anthony who has now been inserted into the starting lineup for the fifth game in a row made the most of his opportunity tonight. Cole came out of the gates and gave the Magic a huge boost scoring 20 points in the first half.

“When people count you out, you gotta count yourself in,” Cole Anthony on where his confidence comes from. “I’m a heavy believer in that and it’s been a rough year — Everyone on the team, all the players, the coaches, everyone’s been super, super supportive and just have been there for me, whether I’m having a night like tonight or where I have a donut.” 

Banchero’s Second Game Back

Before tipoff, Sixers Head Coach Nick Nurse spoke on Paolo Banchero’s 34-point performance versus Milwaukee on Friday night and had some high praise for the third-year forward.

“Guys that can do that are real players, man. They’re hoopers that when they get in the game, their game speaks for itself — He’s a ball player, he was really good the other night.”

Banchero may not have had the performance tonight like he did against the Bucks, but he still made a huge impact on the floor tonight, finishing the night with 20 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. Banchero cashed in at the free throw line converting on 9 of 11 (81.8%), which ultimately was the difference in the game.

“I thought he was great,” Jamahl Mosley on Paolo’s performance. “There were times in the game where they were throwing different defenses at him — He kept a great poise about him and he was always trying to make the right play.”

Next Man Up Mentality

Anthony Black had himself quietly a very good night. Black didn’t ‘start’ tonight’s game but essentially played with the starters all evening as he checked in for Tristan da Silva just one minute into the game. Black finished the night with 17-points, six rebounds, and six assists, in 37 minutes of action.

“When he is aggressive, when he is playing downhill, when he’s attacking the basket, when he’s rebounding, when he’s pushing the break,” Jamahl Molsey on Anthony Black’s performance. “I think he’s hard to guard, he’s hard to stop — I think he played tremendous basketball.”

Orlando overall did a good job of staying in this contest despite the injuries and fighting until the very end. Trailing by four points going into the final period of play, the Magic made a rally and was eventually able to come out on top.

Both Jonathan Isaac and Trevelin Queen came up big in the fourth quarter making timely threes and igniting the crowd with some big-time throw downs. Big play after big play by Isaac in the fourth quarter as he scored 13 of his 20 in the final period of play. 

“To be down to just eight guys, and like you said P [Paolo Banchero] is on a minutes restriction,” Jonathan Isaac on the grit of the Magic. “Nobody cares about the shine, nobody cares about who’s taking shots. It’s just about winning the basketball game. You have nights like tonight.”

Final Numbers and Thoughts

The Magic had four players score in double figures tonight, and three of them scored 20 or more points with Paolo Banchero (20), Cole Anthony (27), Jonathan Isaac (20), and Anthony Black (17).  Orlando, through the first three quarters, only knocked down 7 of 14 (50%) of their free throws but finished the game making the ones that counted the most connecting on 12 of 14 (85.7%) in the final period of play.

“Probably one of the most impressive wins that we’ve had,” Mosley on how impressive tonight’s win was. “It’s all about the grit. We’re just relentless. Relentless no matter what’s happening within the game, just continuing to play, continuing to fight.”

Orlando has gotten back into the win column and will embark on a quick two-game road trip against the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics.