Struggles appeared to be on the horizon for the Orlando Magic after losing Paolo Banchero to an oblique injury that was expected to sideline him until around Christmas. These concerns were seemingly confirmed when Orlando lost the next four games without their star.
Since then, however, the Magic have lived up to their name. Orlando has now won six straight games and 12 of its past 13 after a 100-92 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday.
Franz Wagner scored 20 points (on 12 of 14 free throws) with nine rebounds, eight assists and two blocks to lead the Magic. Sunday’s game was the 17th this season in which Wagner scored 20 or more points. That ties for the third-highest total in the NBA this season. according to StatMuse.
Wagner was Orlando’s leading scorer eleven times during this thirteen-game stretch, averaging 26.6 points per game. For the season, Wagner is averaging a career-high 23.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.9 steals.
After losing four in a row following Banchero’s injury, the Magic were 3-6. Orlando is now 15-7 and in third place in the Eastern Conference standings, 2.5 games ahead of the New York Knicks. The team is also first in the Southeast Division, 3.5 games ahead of the Miami Heat.
The schedule favored the Magic during this thirteen-game stretch, with opponents including the Nets, Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets, Philadelphia 76ers and Chicago Bulls. They beat the teams they should beat. Still, the competition wasn’t all easy. Orlando has also defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix Suns.
The Magic have also gone 3-0 in NBA Cup group play, leaving them tied with the New York Knicks at the top of East Group A. The winner of that group will be determined Tuesday as Orlando visits Madison Square Garden.
With their biggest game of the season ahead of them, a disappointment against the Nets on Sunday seemed like a valid concern. But head coach Jamaal Mosley reminded his players to stay locked in.
“Focus on the game tonight,” Mosley told Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel. “There’s no other way to say it.”
The Nets are now out of the way and the Magic can turn their concentration to what could be a statement win on Tuesday. A win over the Knicks (11-8) could be a springboard to a Dec. 19 matchup with the West-leading Oklahoma City Thunder (15-4).
