Magic Upset Raptors 113-109 in Orlando Behind Wagner’s Season High 34 Points

ORLANDO, FLA- Coursey of 2021-2022 All-Rookie First Team Franz Wagner’s season-best performance, the Orlando Magic (7-20, 14th in East) upset the Toronto Raptors (13-13, 9th in East) 113-109 on December 9th in the Amway Center. In reference to Friday’s win versus Toronto and Wednesday’s 116-111 OT Win versus Los Angeles, Orlando has now won back-to-back games for just the second time this season, while avenging their 108-121 loss to Toronto on December 3rd.

As previously mentioned, Wagner was quite excellent for Orlando, recording a season-high 34 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals while shooting 12-15 (80.0%) from the field, 2-4 (50.0%) from three-point range, and 8-8 (100.0%) from the free-throw line. It’s worth noting that Wagner managed to score a put-back layup off Markelle Fultz’s missed field goal attempt with 26.2 seconds left which gave Orlando a decisive 111-109 lead before Paolo Banchero added two free throws with 4.1 seconds. In his second career season, Wagner has quickly become a star, averaging 33.3 MPG, 19.7 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 3.6 APG, and 0.8 SPG while shooting 49.9% from the field, and 32.4% from three-point range in 27 starts.

In addition to Wagner’s electric performance, some other players had notable performances for Orlando. Most notably, Banchero continued his historic start to his rookie season, recording 23 points, six rebounds, and four assists on 8-11 (72.7%) shooting from the field in 38 minutes. In reference to this, Banchero has now scored double-digit points in 15 of his first 20 games, joining Michael Jordan (1984-1985) and Zion Williamson (2019-2020) as the only players in NBA history to do so.

As throughout the 2022-2023 NBA season, Bol Bol has continued his case as the NBA’s 2022-2023 Most Improved Player Award Winner, notching ten points and six rebounds on 4-6 (66.7%) shooting from the field in 30 minutes. Likewise, Moritz Wagner has thrived in his starting role with Wendell Carter Jr out, notching eleven points, four rebounds, and two assists, his fifth double-digit point outing in nine games this season.

While serving as Orlando’s sixth man, third-year Guard Cole Anthony recorded 18 points, three rebounds, five assists, and one steal while shooting 7-10 (70.0%) from the field and 3-5 (60.0%) from three-point range in 23 minutes. Likewise, Fultz had a solid game, notching 15 points, three rebounds, and five assists while shooting 6-9 (66.7%) from the field and 3-3 (100.0%) from three-point range. After dealing with injuries for the majority of the season, Anthony and Fultz have been resilient in their play and have shown vast improvement from last season.

“Markelle’s unselfish. All of us are unselfish, so we know there’s a chance he can get it back to you and someone can make a play,” Banchero said. “When you know that, you don’t mind passing the ball to Markelle or Franz or whoever. Markelle’s a great point guard and you can always trust him with the ball.”

First and foremost, 2022 All-NBA Third Team Player Pascal Siakam posted a dominant performance for the Raptors, recording 36 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists on 13-27 (48.1%) shooting from the field and 8-9 (88.8%) shooting from the free-throw line, all team-highs. Likewise, Fred Vanvleet added 19 points, two rebounds, and six assists on 5-14 (35.7%) shooting from the field, while Gary Trent Jr. scored 20 points and four three-pointers off the bench and OG Anunoby had twelve points and five steals to keep the Raptors within striking distance of the Magic.

“We came in and everyone was like, ‘Oh, we’re supposed to win.’ But it’s the NBA — there’s no games you’re supposed to win,” Siakam said following the 109-113 upset loss to Orlando. “We’re all professionals and these teams come in and they play hard and they want to win, and we’ve got to have the same mentality. Those guys had a great rhythm early, and that’s what happens when we don’t come out with the energy we had when we beat them at home.”