The Orlando Magic delivered a decisive 113-103 victory against a Toronto Raptors team missing key players during Friday’s NBA action, marking their upward trajectory with their seventh win in nine games.
“It’s hard to win in this league, so I think it says something about our group that we’re finding ways to win games,” Wagner said. “At least for me, this is the first year where we’re really doing that. That progress is really cool to see.”
Franz Wagner led the Magic with 19 points, while Paolo Banchero contributed significantly in the third quarter, scoring 11 of his 17 points to help secure the win. Jalen Suggs, Wendell Carter Jr., and Cole Anthony also played crucial roles in the victory, demonstrating the depth and potential of the young Magic roster.
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Gary Trent Jr. shone for the Raptors with a season-high 31 points, while Immanuel Quickley, boasting a career-high eight games with 10 or more assists this season, added 10 points and 10 assists to the effort. The Raptors faced the challenge without several key players, including All-Star forward Scottie Barnes and center Jakob Poeltl, underscoring the depth of their injury woes.
Before the game, the Raptors and their head coach, Darko Rajakovic, expressed their support for RJ Barrett and his family following the tragic loss of Barrett’s younger brother, Nathan.
“Players and coaches, all of us are in touch with RJ and his family, and they know we are here for them,” Rajakovic said. “They’re going to get any kind of support that we can offer.”
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The game commenced with a moment of silence in memory of Nathan Barrett, adding a somber note to the evening. Despite a history of dominance against the Magic at home, the Raptors could not maintain their lead, with the Magic showcasing their resilience and teamwork.
“As the game progressed, their offensive attributes came to the full sight,” Rajakovic said, acknowledging the challenge presented by the Magic.
Despite a slow start, Banchero was pivotal in the Magic’s third-quarter surge, exemplifying his growth and maturity in his game.
“That’s growth,” Mosley said. “That’s who he is, though, a young man who is able to recognize how the game is being played, not to put his head down and get discouraged because he knows how much we believe in him. He knows how much his teammates believe in him and what he’s capable of doing, and that’s what we saw there.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic, Gary Trent Jr, Toronto Raptors Updates
The Magic’s 14-0 run in the third quarter, fueled by Banchero’s seven points, shifted the momentum in their favor, setting the stage for their win.
“They were playing great basketball there to start the third,” Suggs said. “We withstood that and continued to move the ball, got great shots. Defensively, I think we turned up the pressure a bit and that led to good things for us.”
As both teams prepare for their next matchup in Orlando on Sunday night, the Magic look to build on their success, while the Raptors aim to rebound and halt their losing streak.
