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The Magic did what they were supposed to do against the 15-win Wizards when they led by as many as 33 points in the nation’s capital on Friday night.
Behind a combined 67 points from Paolo Banchero (31), Franz Wagner (21) and Wendell Carter Jr. (16), Orlando used a big third quarter to capture the 120-105 victory at Capital One Arena.
Coach Jamahl Mosley’s squad used a 19-3 run to take control out of halftime and later put its stamp on the contest thanks to an 11-2 run to outscore Washington 35-17 before the fourth quarter.
Although the Wizards (15-54) entered last in the East, they had gone 5-5 in their last 10 games by playing at an uptempo pace, which tends to give the Magic fits.
But on Friday, Orlando had no problem when they notched 20 points off 15 turnovers by the Wizards.
The Magic (33-38) return home Monday when they host the Lakers at Kia Center on a night that the franchise is inducting Dwight Howard into its Hall of Fame.
Banchero posted 20 points in the first half when he searched for his spots on the floor with success.
Playing with a noticeable level of aggression, he scored on all three levels, including from beyond the arc where he made his first three attempts.
Only playing 31 minutes in three quarters, Banchero scored 30-plus points for the 13th time this season. Shooting 50% from the field, he added eight rebounds, five assists and a steal.
It was the fourth time in the past five contests he scored at least 30 points.
Just as important as Banchero’s ability to score at will, the Magic forward had help elsewhere on the court.
Three of Orlando’s other starters reached double figures by intermission: Wagner had 12 points and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Carter each had 11.
Although Wagner picked up three fouls before the break, that didn’t slow him down as he added nine more points to total 21 with eight rebounds and five assists in just 24 minutes.
It was a solid first quarter that boosted Carter’s presence around the rim. The Magic center scored all 11 of his first-half points in the opening frame with a 3-pointer from the left corner late in the quarter.
By way of 16 points and 12 rebounds, Carter recorded his 10th double-double of the season.
Friday’s contest pitted the league’s two worst 3-point shooting squads against each other. Washington entered at 33.5% from beyond the arc, which was in front of Orlando’s 31% from there.
But both teams shot the ball well above their season averages.
Three different members of the Magic made at least three 3-pointers when Orlando shot 17 of 42 from deep (40.5%).
On the other end, Washington converted 17 of their 39 long-range attempts (42.5%).
With the Magic ahead by 28 points with just over 5 minutes left in the game, Magic two-way guard Mac McClung entered for just the second time this season.
Friday’s game was McClung’s first appearance for Orlando since Oct. 26 at Memphis. It marked just his sixth career NBA game across three seasons with four teams.
A three-time slam dunk contest champion and reigning G League MVP with Osceola, McClung recorded one assist but missed his two shots from the floor.
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Behind a combined 67 points from Paolo Banchero (31), Franz Wagner (21) and Wendell Carter Jr. (16), Orlando used a big third quarter to capture the 120-105 victory at Capital One Arena.
Coach Jamahl Mosley’s squad used a 19-3 run to take control out of halftime and later put its stamp on the contest thanks to an 11-2 run to outscore Washington 35-17 before the fourth quarter.
Although the Wizards (15-54) entered last in the East, they had gone 5-5 in their last 10 games by playing at an uptempo pace, which tends to give the Magic fits.
But on Friday, Orlando had no problem when they notched 20 points off 15 turnovers by the Wizards.
The Magic (33-38) return home Monday when they host the Lakers at Kia Center on a night that the franchise is inducting Dwight Howard into its Hall of Fame.
Banchero’s big night
Banchero posted 20 points in the first half when he searched for his spots on the floor with success.
Playing with a noticeable level of aggression, he scored on all three levels, including from beyond the arc where he made his first three attempts.
Only playing 31 minutes in three quarters, Banchero scored 30-plus points for the 13th time this season. Shooting 50% from the field, he added eight rebounds, five assists and a steal.
It was the fourth time in the past five contests he scored at least 30 points.
Supporting cast
Just as important as Banchero’s ability to score at will, the Magic forward had help elsewhere on the court.
Three of Orlando’s other starters reached double figures by intermission: Wagner had 12 points and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Carter each had 11.
Although Wagner picked up three fouls before the break, that didn’t slow him down as he added nine more points to total 21 with eight rebounds and five assists in just 24 minutes.
It was a solid first quarter that boosted Carter’s presence around the rim. The Magic center scored all 11 of his first-half points in the opening frame with a 3-pointer from the left corner late in the quarter.
By way of 16 points and 12 rebounds, Carter recorded his 10th double-double of the season.
Difference from distance
Friday’s contest pitted the league’s two worst 3-point shooting squads against each other. Washington entered at 33.5% from beyond the arc, which was in front of Orlando’s 31% from there.
But both teams shot the ball well above their season averages.
Three different members of the Magic made at least three 3-pointers when Orlando shot 17 of 42 from deep (40.5%).
On the other end, Washington converted 17 of their 39 long-range attempts (42.5%).
McClung sighting
With the Magic ahead by 28 points with just over 5 minutes left in the game, Magic two-way guard Mac McClung entered for just the second time this season.
Friday’s game was McClung’s first appearance for Orlando since Oct. 26 at Memphis. It marked just his sixth career NBA game across three seasons with four teams.
A three-time slam dunk contest champion and reigning G League MVP with Osceola, McClung recorded one assist but missed his two shots from the floor.
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