The Orlando Magic defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 132-120 on Wednesday in the Kia Center on Fan Appreciation Night. The Magic have won their last four contests and finished the regular season with a 25-15 record at home.
“I’ve said it time and time again, and I’m getting goosebumps now, thinking about how great our fans are,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said. “They stick with you and want to be a part of this so much, and they are a part of it. They are a reason we get going. There’s moments in the game where they raise our level. Our fans are absolutely incredible, and I don’t say that lightly. It’s unbelievable how much they support, how much they care, how much energy they bring to our group of guys who need it when we’re at home.”
Terrance Shannon Jr. led the game with 33 points, while Paolo Banchero had 20 points for the Magic. Shannon Jr. set his new career-high in points, surpassing his 25-point mark against the Lakers last season.
“It felt good [to score my career high],” Shannon Jr. said. “Just being out there on the court. I could have been better defensively and offensively, but you get better learning each day.”
Seven Magic players ended in double figures, while the Timberwolves only had four players with 10+. The only Orlando starter not in double digits was Wendell Carter Jr., who is laboring a nasal fracture. Magic center Goga Bitadze picked up the slack, scoring 14 points and collecting a season-high 15 rebounds.
“Goga does whatever it takes to win,” Mosley said. “He sparked us…he got offensive rebounds, he put the paint protection for us in a great way. Goga is going to do whatever it takes to help this team win and that’s why we love him. That’s why he does what he does, and that’s why the guys, you see when he makes plays, they cheering for him because they know how much he absolutely cares.”
The contest was Orlando’s first with its top eight players healthy and playing since Dec. 7, the game Franz Wagner suffered his high ankle sprain. In games where every Magic rotational player is healthy, the team has won three-straight.
“Guys have been carrying a heavy load with guys being out,” Mosley said. “Our ability to sub and make rotations at the right time, get combinations in there, it’s gonna take them a moment to find a clean rhythm.”
Franz Wagner went down early in the third quarter holding his left knee. The Magic rallied after his departure, sparking a 29-12 run. Wagner returned late in the third, missing only eight minutes of action.
“I did not see that part of the game, but I thought the second half was a lot better,” Wagner said. “Our intensity and focus and sticking to what we want to do, and usually, that tends to work out really well for us.”
Orlando coasted through the fourth quarter, resting its starters for the last six minutes of the game. While Minnesota cut the lead in half, the Magic held on and closed the win out.
“I like the way we finished the game,” Mosley said. “Finding a way to finish them is very important. Obviously, there’s always gonna be things to clean up, but I think our guys did a great job.”
Next up
The Magic will end their regular season on a two-game road trip, starting with the Chicago Bulls on Friday. Orlando must go 2-0 in those contests to have a chance at a playoff bid.
“We have two more games and it’s really important,” Bitadze said. “I think we gotta get those, and I think we will. We’ll be in a good spot; we gotta take care of business.”
Tip-off against the Bulls is set for 8 p.m. on April 10.