Anthony Black Continues to Impress for Orlando
While Bane provided the heroics, Anthony Black provided the steady hand. The young guard was a force all evening, finishing with 22 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. In a game where momentum swung wildly, Black’s ability to control the pace kept the Magic offense from completely stalling out during Portland’s furious third-quarter run.
Tyus Jones also proved his worth as a stabilizer. When Portland took that one-point lead in the fourth—sending the home crowd into a frenzy—it was Jones who silenced the arena with a clutch 3-pointer. He finished with 16 points and seven assists, playing the role of the calm veteran perfectly alongside Orlando’s younger core.
Blazers’ Grit Falls Just Short Again
You have to feel for this Blazers squad. For the second straight night, they showed incredible resilience, fighting back from a deep hole. Deni Avdija was spectacular, leading all scorers with 25 points while adding eight assists and six rebounds. He was the engine behind the comeback, consistently finding gaps in the Magic defense and creating opportunities for his teammates.
Shaedon Sharpe added 22 points, but a critical missed free throw with 38.9 seconds left—which would have tied the game—will likely haunt him. Despite the loss, Portland’s ability to turn a blowout into a nail-biter speaks to a team that hasn’t quit, even if the results aren’t falling their way.
Why 3-Point Shooting Made the Difference
If you’re looking for the statistical reason the Magic are flying home with a win, look no further than the arc. Orlando was scorching from deep, hitting 15 of their 33 attempts (45.5%). In today’s NBA, that kind of efficiency is almost always a winning formula.
In contrast, Portland struggled to find its rhythm from downtown, shooting just 28.1% (9-for-32). While they dominated the glass—outrebounding the Magic 53 to 47—they simply couldn’t match Orlando’s shot-making when it counted. The math was simple: Orlando made the most of their open looks, and Portland didn’t.
What’s Next for the Magic?
This wasn’t the prettiest win on the schedule, but on the second night of a back-to-back or the end of a road trip, style points don’t matter. The Magic showed they can weather a storm and execute under pressure.
They’ll head back to the Kia Center to host the Charlotte Hornets on Friday, looking to build on this momentum. As for the Blazers, they host the Clippers on Friday, hoping to finally turn one of these furious rallies into a win.