The Orlando Magic are playing some really good ball lately. However, the Magic won’t likely have two starters for their game in Milwaukee on Sunday night.
Orlando (34-28) cruised past Minnesota 119-92 to pick up its third straight victory and 11th in its last 17 games, despite losing starting point guard Anthony Black early in the contest. According to NBA Insider Marc J. Spears, reported that Black suffered a lower back strain two minutes into the game and didn’t return.
“[The] Magic say guard Anthony Black suffered a low back strain during the first quarter today at Minnesota,” Spears tweeted.
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Trailing 48-41 midway through the second quarter, Orlando cranked up its defensive intensity and held Minnesota to just one field goal the rest of the half. The Magic led 60-50 at halftime and outscored the Timberwolves 59-42 in the second half as they limited the Wolves to 14 points over the final 12 minutes.
Orlando, which ranks 12th in the NBA defensively, has been much better on that end recently. The 92 points the Magic held the Timberwolves to were a season-low for the Magic defense. The Magic held the Wolves to 36% from the field, including 9 three-pointers at 26%, and outrebounded them 58-47. It is the fourth time the Magic have held their opponents under the century mark since February 4.
Offensively, Orlando was highly efficient against the Timberwolves, connecting on 46% of their field goal attempts and making 26 of 31 free throws. Desmond Bane led the way with 30 points, on 10 of 17 shooting, including 10 of 10 from the free throw line, while Paolo Banchero recorded his 21st double-double with 25 points and 15 boards. The Magic average the fifth most points during their current three-game stretch at 120 points per game.
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