The Orlando Magic defeated the Portland Trail Blazers, 112-105, in overtime in NBA Summer League action on Sunday night. Second-year big man Yang Hansen was unable to play due to illness. With Portland’s only regular rostered player missing, the journeymen Blazers shot 37% from the floor, 37% from beyond the arc, but controlled most of the game. After leading by as much as 15 in the first half, Orlando chipped away at that lead until midway through the 3rd quarter. From there, it was a tight back-and-forth affair to the finish.
Blazers two-way contract wing Jayson Kent led Portland with 20 points. Blazers guards Quincy Olivari and Flynn Cameron chipped in 13 and 11 points, respectively.
Orlando center Colin Castleton finished with 21 points, while former Trail Blazer Keon Johnson helped out with 15 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists.
The Blazers came out hot, hitting 10 of 16 shots, including 5 of 10 three-pointers. The fantastic 64% shooting led to a 33-23 lead after the first quarter. Kent paced the Blazers with 11 points. Jaylen Martin had 9. Johnson scored 7 points in the quarter for Orlando.
Head Coach Micah Nori joined the broadcast in the second quarter, just in time to watch the Blazers shoot an icy 25% from the floor, going 5-20 overall (2-10 on threes). The cold shooting allowed Orlando to cut the lead in half, with the Blazers taking a 55-50 lead into the locker room.
G League guard Lester Quinones came alive at the end of the 2nd quarter for Orlando, and he picked up where he left off to start the 3rd. Along with center Colin Castleton, the two combined to score 8 points during a run that gave the Magic their first lead of the game at 64-62. Portland couldn’t buy a basket. The Magic went on a 13-0 run to go up 67-62 before the Blazers came storming back to tie it up again at 71-71 to end the 3rd quarter.
A scary moment happened at the end of the 3rd quarter when G league veteran guard DJ Steward took an awkward fall and had to be helped off the court. Wishing him good news.
The 4th quarter started off with an offensive flurry from both teams. A Chris Youngblood sighting occurred when he made his first three and was fouled. He had been 0-12 through the two Las Vegas games from downtown. Quinones remained a thorn in Portland’s side on both ends of the floor. He’d finish with 30 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists.
The teams provided an entertaining back and forth throughout the 4th. With the score tied at 101-101, Portland had the ball with 6.2 seconds remaining. The Blazers inbounded the ball to Youngblood, who fell down at halfcourt, leading to a scrum for the ball. They jumped it up at half court, where the ball caromed to Quinones, and he heaved a shot with 0.6 seconds left. It clanged off the rim. Overtime!
Forward Philip Weaver opened the extra period by splashing a three-pointer for the Magic. Guard Alex Morales followed it up with another one, pushing the lead to 107-101. Portland then capitalized on a turnover, converting a quick two points. Quinones was fouled on the ensuing inbound, and iced the game with two free throws.
No rest for the weary. The Blazers (0-2) are back at it again tomorrow in the Monday nightcap game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. PDT.