Orlando, FL – In a commanding performance that turned into a one-sided affair, the Magic dominated the Charlotte Hornets, securing a resounding 101-89 victory on the road to extend their win streak that was started back in Orlando.
One of the unsung heroes for the Magic was veteran Joe Ingles, who orchestrated the offense with precision. Ingles dished out an impressive 8 assists, showcasing his playmaking ability and basketball IQ. His court vision and decision-making were crucial in setting up scoring opportunities for his teammates.
Paolo Banchero once again shouldered the scoring load for the Magic, delivering a stellar performance with 22 points. Banchero’s scoring efficiency, shooting 47.4% from the field and 40.0% from beyond the arc, highlighted his ability to contribute both inside and outside.
Turnovers were a defining factor in the game, as the Magic exploited the Hornets’ struggles with ball security. Orlando’s defensive pressure, led by Jalen Suggs with three steals, forced 19 turnovers. The Magic efficiently converted these opportunities into points, emphasizing their commitment to both ends of the court and solidifying their dominance throughout the matchup.
Orlando wasn’t much better at taking care of the ball, with Franz and Paolo combining for 11 turnovers and the team committing an additional six to bring the total to a whopping 17 turnovers, mostly coming from sloppy play early in the game. Despite this, as Cole Anthony emphasized post-game, the commitment to defense laid the foundation for the decisive victory.
After a favorable slate of games, the Magic sit in the top half of the Eastern Conference and are safe from the play-in tournament for the foreseeable future and will look to continue their great run of form to bring playoff basketball back to Orlando and widen the gap between them and the rest of the Eastern teams.