Franz Wagner delivered in the clutch, scoring 13 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter to propel the Orlando Magic to a 95-84 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night.
Despite LaMelo Ball’s electrifying 44-point performance, Orlando’s depth and defensive intensity proved too much for Charlotte to handle.
Wagner’s scoring burst, paired with timely three-pointers from Jonathan Isaac, was instrumental in turning the tide for the Magic, who struggled offensively for much of the night. Orlando shot just 39% from the field but capitalized on Charlotte’s miscues, converting 27 turnovers into 33 points.
Moritz Wagner and Cole Anthony provided a significant spark off the bench for the Magic, each contributing 16 points and eight rebounds. Meanwhile, Isaac made a critical impact with three fourth-quarter triples, finishing with 11 points and providing much-needed spacing for Orlando.
Ball’s Brilliance Not Enough for Hornets
LaMelo Ball showcased his scoring prowess once again, following up his 50-point outing against the Milwaukee Bucks with another dominant performance. Ball added nine rebounds and seven assists, keeping the Hornets within striking distance for most of the game. However, Charlotte’s undermanned roster struggled to keep pace, particularly in crunch time.
Brandon Miller chipped in with 20 points and 10 rebounds, marking a solid outing for the rookie. But turnovers plagued the Hornets, with Ball and Miller combining for 13 giveaways. The lack of depth and cohesion, exacerbated by the absences of key big men like Mark Williams and Nick Richards, left Charlotte vulnerable on both ends of the court.
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Fourth-Quarter Push Seals the Game
Orlando’s turning point came early in the fourth quarter. Franz Wagner and Jonathan Isaac drained back-to-back three-pointers to break a 64-64 tie, giving the Magic a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Wagner punctuated the night with another triple in the closing minutes, stretching Orlando’s lead to double digits and effectively sealing the win.
The Magic’s defensive intensity and opportunistic play in transition proved decisive. Despite struggling on the boards, where they were outrebounded 52-39, Orlando’s ability to generate offense off turnovers kept them in control. Charlotte’s 27 giveaways translated into a commanding advantage for the Magic, whose bench outscored the Hornets’ reserves 53-15.
Depth and Defense Propel Magic
Gary Harris’s early exit due to a hamstring injury forced Orlando to dig deeper into its rotation. However, players like Cole Anthony and Moritz Wagner stepped up, providing energy and consistency off the bench. The Magic’s depth proved crucial in a game where offensive rhythm was hard to come by for both teams.
For the Hornets, the absence of their top two centers was glaring. Head coach Charles Lee was forced to experiment with rookies like K.J. Simpson and Nick Smith Jr., resulting in a lack of chemistry on the floor. While Ball and Miller carried the scoring load, Charlotte’s secondary options contributed just 20 points, highlighting their dependence on the star duo.
Takeaways and What’s Next
The Magic continue to show they can grind out wins even when their offense isn’t firing on all cylinders. Orlando’s ability to force turnovers and capitalize on mistakes will be key as they aim to solidify their position in the Eastern Conference standings.
For the Hornets, Ball’s brilliance remains the silver lining in an otherwise tough loss. However, the team’s struggles with depth and turnovers underscore the challenges they face with key players sidelined.
The Magic (now 10-5) will return home to host the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night, while the Hornets (7-9) will look to regroup as they welcome the Miami Heat. Both teams will aim to address their respective shortcomings as the NBA season rolls on.