How Magic handled business vs. Charlotte to win 7th straight
ORLANDO, Fla. — The Magic captured their seventh straight win as Jamahl Mosley‘s squad totaled 74 points in the paint against the Hornets on Sunday.
Behind a season-high 30 points from forward Franz Wagner, Orlando also received 52 from its bench en route to the 130-117 win at Amway Center.
The Magic remain home Wednesday (Bally Sports Florida, 7) to begin a baseball-like series for the first of two games against the Washington Wizards. The sides meet again Friday in Orlando.
Starting 5
Jamahl Mosley stuck with Anthony Black, Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero and Goga Bitadze against the Hornets.
Wagner sunk his first 3-pointer of the night in the second quarter and was mostly efficient on the night shooting 73% from the floor. It was Wagner’s fifth 30-point game of his career.
Banchero set the tone on Charlotte’s first possession of the game with a steal and basket in transition. The second year pro continued to push the ball to the rim to total 23 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. It was Banchero’s fifth straight game with 20-plus points.
Suggs remained aggressive on defense and made extra effort plays throughout the night to finish with 12 points.
Bitadze continued to have success rolling to the basket for the Magic, scoring all 11 points in the first half. He added seven rebounds and three assists.
Second Unit
Using a 10-man rotation throughout, Mosley went with Joe Ingles, Gary Harris, Moe Wagner, Cole Anthony and Caleb Houstan off the bench.
Anthony powered the second unit with 30 points by driving to the basket, creating his own shot and pushing the ball in transition. He added seven assists and seven rebounds in 32 minutes.
Moe Wagner did a lot of work in the paint for the Magic, grabbing seven rebounds with 11 points.
Houstan scored a quick six points in the second quarter after he was fouled by Charlotte’s Brandon Miller attempting a 3 from the right corner. Ruled a flagrant one, Houstan sunk all three free throws and, as Orlando maintained possession, nailed a 3-pointer from the right wing.
Isaac Out
Magic forward Jonathan Isaac (sore left ankle) was ruled out ahead of Sunday’s matchup following pre-game warmups at Amway Center.
Isaac (6.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 13.9 minutes in 14 games) has made progress with the workload he’s taken on this season after appearing in just 11 games last season after 2-plus years off the court due to leg injuries.
The 6-10 forward has played in both games of a back-to-back twice so far, something he hadn’t done since 2019. Mosley has often said the team is always monitoring his minutes.
Rookie Watch
After just six minutes of action against Boston on Friday, Black saw 15 vs. Charlotte.
The 6-7 guard dished out three assists but picked up three fouls before the fourth quarter.
Black’s lone basket came in the opening frame when he drove the basket for the layup.
