Orlando, FL— The Magic tipped off the first of their eight-game homestand [ties the longest homestand in franchise history] tonight with back-to-back victories and a clean season sweep over the Toronto Raptors, 111-96.
After playing in Toronto on Friday evening the Magic took care of business in front of the home crowd with a dominating performance. Tonight’s game was nearly identical to their previous matchup where it was a close game at halftime, the Raptors pushed the pace early on, and the Magic would find a way to open the floodgates in the third period.
Orlando would allow Toronto to hang in there in the first half after seven sloppy turnovers and playing lackadaisical defense as the Raptors shot 19-40 (47.5%) from the field. The Raptors were getting contributions from everyone in that first half from Kelly Olynk (6 points), Ochai Agbaji (9 points), and Gary Trent Jr (7 points).
The Wagner brothers not only played a terrific game they helped lead Orlando in that first half combining for 21 points. Franz had an outlet dunk on a beautiful in-stride pass from Cole Anthony, and Mo did a great job of getting downhill and being aggressive with multiple layups off the screen and roll. Orlando would lead Toronto at halftime 52-47.
After a rather lackluster first half, the Magic came out and dominated the second half and they would expand their lead by as much as 20 points at one point. Jalen Suggs may not have filled the box score up but his presence and impact were felt all over the court tonight. In that third period, he had a couple of big-time plays with a deep left-wing three over Immanuel Quickley as the shot clock was winding down, and he followed it up with a steal and confident pull-up three in transition to ignite the crowd.
I asked Head Coach of the Magic Jamahl Molsey about Jalen’s [Suggs] impact on the game even when he’s not stuffing the stat sheet and he responded,
“His level of energy, his ability to pick the basketball up, change defenders minds about where they’re going on the floor, his disruption, his toughness, his physicality, I think he just continues to do that for us. The fact that he was able to knock down shots as well, to be able to space the floor, I think that’s a continued added bonus.”
Orlando would lead Toronto 87-73 going into the fourth, and with a substantial lead they never looked back. Mo Wagner got the team rolling in the final period of play with a right corner three off a sweet bounce pass from Markelle Fultz, followed by a nice rolling layup from Joe Ingles. Things got chippy in back-to-back possessions with Gary Trent Jr and Franz Wagner playing physical ball, but it was no harm no foul. Paolo Banchero would extend Orlando’s lead to 20 with a deep right-wing three to seal the deal.
Franz Wagner had an incredible all-around performance tonight with 22 points, nine rebounds, and five assists, and he shot an efficient 8-13 from the field. Paolo Banchero put together a phenomenal game with 29 points, six rebounds, five assists, shot 11-16 from the floor, and a scorching 4-7 from beyond the arch. The Orlando Magic are now 15-4 this season when both Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner each score 20 or more points.
“I was super excited when Coach [Mosley] came into the locker room and said we had eight straight coming up.” Paolo Banchero when asked about the Magic’s upcoming home stretch. “I was super excited to hear that. It feels like we haven’t had that many games all year straight at home. I’m just excited to, you know, be in my crib.”
Orlando has now secured their 40th win of the season and they’ve improved now to 40-28 with their overall record on the season. The Magic will rest up on Monday as they prepare to play host to the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday evening.
