Orlando Magic Fall Big to the Washington Wizards, 118-138

The Orlando Magic suffered loss number 29 on the season after a 118-138 defeat at the hands of the Washington Wizards.

Washington picked up win number 20 on the season. It was huge loss for the Magic as the Wizards are two spots ahead of them sitting right outside of a play-in spot and a win could’ve given Orlando the opportunity to gain some ground in the standings. However, Washington thought otherwise in a big win in D.C.

Rui Hachimura has Career Game, Wizards Could Not Miss From Three

Washington had the second most points they have scored in a game all season, and Rui Hachimura was the catalyst. His powerful moves to the basket caught Orlando’s defense off guard.

Hachimura came off the bench and did wonders to get the Washington offense going. He finished with a career-high 30 points on 13-of-22 (59%) shooting and snagged five rebounds.

Wizards head coach Wes Unseld Jr. on Hachimura’s outing: “He was terrific… once he sees one or two go in, that gets him going… he was very well-balanced.”

The Wizards as a whole shot an impressive 54% from the field and an even more impressive 53% from beyond the arc. Four starters consisting of Kyle Kuzma, Kristaps Porzingis, Monte Morris, and Bradley Beal combined for 10-of-20 (50%) shooting from three point land and torched the Magic from downtown.

Kuzma put up impressive numbers including a double-double with 25 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists. Starting center Daniel Gafford did not shoot a three, however, he also nearly had a double-double with 14 points and eight rebounds. He went an impressive 6-of-8 (75%) from the field.

Porzingis and Beal both had 17 points a piece and combined for a perfect 11-of-11 shooting from the free throw line. Beal also contributed with getting the ball to his teammates racking up eight assists while shooting 7-of-14 (50%) from the field.

Unseld Jr. on the Wizards shooting the basketball Saturday night: “I think when we space correctly, move the ball, move bodies, we usually drain high-efficiency shots.”

Shooting Efficiency Lacks Throughout the Night for Orlando

Orlando shot 46% from the field as a team Saturday; not bad considering it is right around the team average of 47% for the season, but it was not going to catch the Wizards spectacular night putting the ball through the rim. Their field goal percentage as a team is also nearly 4% lower on the road as opposed to in the Amway Center.

Markelle Fultz and Franz Wagner both had great nights for the Magic with 23 and 20 points respectively.

Fultz looked great from the floor and was not phased by the Wizards defense giving him space. He knocked down 3 threes, 8 field goals, and was a perfect 4-4 from the free throw stripe. The point guard also contributed in other ways snagging 5 rebounds and dishing 8 assists. He leads Orlando this season with 5.6 assists per game.

Wagner once again continued to put together a special sophomore season. He was able to get Washington players in foul trouble early and often and knocked down 9-10 from the free throw line.

Wendell Carter Jr. almost got his 81st career double-double last night as he had 11 points with 9 rebounds. He led the Magic in rebounding last night.

The loss brings Orlando’s road record to 6-17 on the season. It is a bottom 5 road record in the league.

Up Next

The Magic remain 13th in the eastern conference. They are also 4.5 spots back from the Chicago Bulls for the final play-in spot in the postseason. Their next game will be Monday night back home in the Amway Center against the Boston Celtics; a team they beat in back-to-back games in the TD Garden back in December. Tip-off is at 7:00 p.m. E.T.