Waiting for right time to strike, Franz Wagner powers Magic’s offense
During the Magic‘s last two games against the Hornets and Wizards at Amway Center, Franz Wagner scored a combined four points in the first quarters.
The slow starts on offense — zero points vs. Charlotte, four against Washington — didn’t deter the 6-10 forward from making an impact on either game.
In both Eastern Conference matchups that Orlando won to add to its league-leading eight game winning streak, Wagner finished with 30 or more points.
“Just trying to get in the paint and make plays,” Wagner said after totaling a season-high 31 points to lift the Magic over the Wizards by 19 on Wednesday.
His contribution on offense could be key for the Magic to extend their winning streak to nine games when they face Washington again Friday (Bally Sports Florida, 7) while he averages a team-high 20.2 points.
Wagner has had success scoring by getting out in transition for easy baskets — his 4.5 points per possession in transition leads the team. And when Orlando runs a set offense he does a good job at waiting to take the shots that the defense gives him.
It’s what has allowed him to remain patient in the first half of recent games before attacking the rim in the third frame. Wagner scored 17 in the third quarter against Washington and 11 vs. Charlotte.
His average 6.8 points in the third frame of games this season is tied for 16th league-wide.
“He’s picking and choosing his times when to go,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said.
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The Orlando forward also is taking advantage of another factor on the court — teammate Paolo Banchero.
When the two play alongside each other, opposing teams tend to give Banchero more attention because of his ability to score at all levels. That leads to more space to give Wagner room to attack downhill and get to the basket.
“They’re balancing and playing off each other very well,” Mosley said about the duo.
Banchero had a quiet night Wednesday against Washington. He totaled 6 points and didn’t play in the fourth quarter after turning his right ankle.
The Magic are listing him as probable for Friday’s rematch with the Wizards while Jonathan Isaac, who missed his second straight game due to a sore left ankle, is listed as questionable.
Regular starting point guard Markelle Fultz, who continues to deal with left knee tendinitis, was ruled out Thursday as he’s set to miss his 10th game in a row.
With or without Fultz, Orlando’s offense doesn’t seem to be slowing down in large part thanks to Wagner and Banchero as well as reserves Cole Anthony and Franz’s brother Moe.
The team’s 118.7 offensive rating in the last eight games they’ve won is seventh best in the NBA. In that stretch, the Magic’s 57.1% effective field goal percentage — a field-goal percentage formula that adjusts for 3-pointers being worth more than made 2-pointers — is fifth highest.
“We’re figuring out how we want to play when we’re out there,” Wagner said. “We have to make sure that we keep doing that and keep building.
“We don’t want to be really good right now. We want to be really good at the end of the season and that’s why we’ve got to keep getting better.”
Email Jason Beede at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com or follow him on Twitter at @therealBeede.
