The Orlando Magic secured win number nine on the season with a 135-124 win over the Atlanta Hawks in Orlando on Wednesday. They put up quite possibly the best offensive performance they have showcased all season. The Magic had three players with 20-plus points and an astounding eight players in double figures.
Offensive Explosion
The Magic started the game red hot from the jump, outscoring Atlanta 50-22 in the first quarter. It is the most points Orlando has put up in a quarter in franchise history.
The Hawks managed to come back a little in the second quarter, putting up 40 points and drawing within 14 points of the Magic at halftime.
Orlando was able to hold their lead, though, and eventually win the game.
Bol Bol, Paolo Banchero, and Franz Wagner finished with 21, 20, and 24 points, respectively.
Bol looked incredible, handling the ball as he was able to finish coast to coast breaks consistently. He even put Hawks’ small forward De’Andre Hunter in a spin cycle and then finishd a slam for a “play of the year” potential moment. He also had seven rebounds as he helped the Magic inevitably outbound Atlanta.
Banchero had his 17th game with 20 points or more. He remains very efficient on all facets of the game; he had six assists and six rebounds, too.
Wagner shot a hot 3-6 (50%) from three and also dished four assists to his teammates. He has been red hot his last ten games, averaging 20 points a game in that span.
Mo Wagner had a great game in the starting lineup with 17 points and five rebounds. He shot 7-9 (77%) from the field.
Young Guards Commanded the Floor All Game for Orlando
The Magic are 4-1 with Markelle Fultz back from injury. Against the Hawks, he performed at a high level making an impact everywhere. He had 16 points, seven rebounds, and nine assists, a near triple-double. He also had four steals and was the active leader on the defensive end, keeping the Hawks’ backcourt in check.
Fultz on the team’s performance: “I think it’s just being locked in in the beginning… just trying to push the pace and get the ball moving and being unselfish. Then, letting our defense create a lot of offense.”
Cole Anthony also performed very well coming off the bench. The 6-foot-3-inch point guard had 13 points, five rebounds, and six assists. He has been averaging a nice 13.5 points per game in the 12 games he has played in this season.
Up Next
The Magic now sit at 9-20 and are three spots outside of the final play-in spot. They look to make it five wins in a row on Friday night in the TD Garden against the Boston Celtics, the number one team in the eastern conference. Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m. E.T.