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Although the Magic had won their first three meetings against the Wizards by an average margin of 20.6 points, younger teams such as Washington can search for momentum to carry them into the offseason by defeating stronger competition in the final stretch of the year.
The Wizards accomplished exactly that type of win against the Kings on Wednesday night at Capital One Arena.
Although it wasn’t pretty at time, Orlando was able to avoid a similar fate 24 hours later when Jamahl Mosley’s squad left the nation’s capital on top, 109-97, thanks to a combined 60 points from Paolo Banchero (33) and Franz Wagner (27).
Washington’s lead never grew above 3 points and didn’t occur after the first quarter, but the group cut its deficit to single digits multiple times in the second half.
The victory secured the season sweep for Orlando over Washington (17-60) and it’s the group’s 10th straight win against the Southeast Divison foe.
The Magic (38-40) will have some time off before they return to Kia Center when they host the Hawks on Tuesday.
Not only did Banchero reach 30-plus points for the 16th time this season, but he grabbed a career-high 18 rebounds to go alongside 8 assists in 39 minutes.
He recorded his 10th double-double of the season by attacking the paint, where Orlando as a whole outscored Washington 50-40.
It was also Banchero’s 16th consecutive contest with 20-plus points and 5-plus rebounds.
Banchero and Wagner each scored 20-plus points for the 10th straight game.
The Magic returned to their same old habits out of halftime at Washington when they settled for shots, didn’t share the ball and waited too long to call a timeout.
The Wizards cut a 19-point deficit all the way down to 3 for a moment when they used a 15-5 run late in the third frame.
Wizards rookie Bub Carrington scored 11 points in the frame and Marcus Smart added 10 when the both made a pair of 3-pointers when Washington scored 6 points off 4 Orlando turnovers in the third.
The Magic led by 5 points, 81-76, entering the final 12 minutes.
The Magic, who entered Thursday with the 20th free throw percentage in the league (77.5%), shot well above their season average against the Wizards.
In the first half alone, Orlando made 16 of their 17 attempts from the charity stripe.
Banchero, who’s fourth among all players with 8.4 free throw tries, made 6 of 7 before the break to help him notch 20 points in 20 first-half minutes.
The Magic finished 22 of 25 from the free throw line (88%) and only let Washington take 11, nine of which it made.
No. 18 pick Tristan da Silva didn’t see the floor for the second straight game as a healthy scratch.
Jason Beede can be reached at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com
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The Wizards accomplished exactly that type of win against the Kings on Wednesday night at Capital One Arena.
Although it wasn’t pretty at time, Orlando was able to avoid a similar fate 24 hours later when Jamahl Mosley’s squad left the nation’s capital on top, 109-97, thanks to a combined 60 points from Paolo Banchero (33) and Franz Wagner (27).
Washington’s lead never grew above 3 points and didn’t occur after the first quarter, but the group cut its deficit to single digits multiple times in the second half.
The victory secured the season sweep for Orlando over Washington (17-60) and it’s the group’s 10th straight win against the Southeast Divison foe.
The Magic (38-40) will have some time off before they return to Kia Center when they host the Hawks on Tuesday.
Banchero’s big night
Not only did Banchero reach 30-plus points for the 16th time this season, but he grabbed a career-high 18 rebounds to go alongside 8 assists in 39 minutes.
He recorded his 10th double-double of the season by attacking the paint, where Orlando as a whole outscored Washington 50-40.
It was also Banchero’s 16th consecutive contest with 20-plus points and 5-plus rebounds.
Banchero and Wagner each scored 20-plus points for the 10th straight game.
Third quarter strikes again
The Magic returned to their same old habits out of halftime at Washington when they settled for shots, didn’t share the ball and waited too long to call a timeout.
The Wizards cut a 19-point deficit all the way down to 3 for a moment when they used a 15-5 run late in the third frame.
Wizards rookie Bub Carrington scored 11 points in the frame and Marcus Smart added 10 when the both made a pair of 3-pointers when Washington scored 6 points off 4 Orlando turnovers in the third.
The Magic led by 5 points, 81-76, entering the final 12 minutes.
Free points
The Magic, who entered Thursday with the 20th free throw percentage in the league (77.5%), shot well above their season average against the Wizards.
In the first half alone, Orlando made 16 of their 17 attempts from the charity stripe.
Banchero, who’s fourth among all players with 8.4 free throw tries, made 6 of 7 before the break to help him notch 20 points in 20 first-half minutes.
The Magic finished 22 of 25 from the free throw line (88%) and only let Washington take 11, nine of which it made.
Rookie watch
No. 18 pick Tristan da Silva didn’t see the floor for the second straight game as a healthy scratch.
Jason Beede can be reached at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com
Continue reading...
