Cole Anthony (C) of Orlando Magic breaks through during the 2023-2024 NBA regular season game between Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic in Toronto, Canada, March 15, 2024. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)
TORONTO, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Franz Wagner scored a team-high 19 points and All-Star forward Paolo Banchero added 17 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists to help the Orlando Magic take down Toronto Raptors 113-103 on Friday night.
Magic guard Jalen Suggs added 16 points and big man Wendell Carter Jr finished with 15 points and eight rebounds. Reserves Cole Anthony and Johnathan Isaac also chipped in with 12 points and 10 points, respectively.
With the win, Orlando improved to 39-28 on the season and have won 15 of their last 20 games since January 31. During this period, only Boston has a better record of 15-3.
"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," said Wagner after the game. "For me, this is the first year where we're really doing that. That progress is really cool to see."
After starting the season 24-23, the Magic has ascended to as high as the fourth of the Eastern Conference. Currently they trail No. 4 Knicks by 0.5 games and seem destined for their first playoff appearance in four years.
Since being drafted No. 8 in the 2021 draft, the 22-year-old German has yet to taste the playoffs in his first two seasons in the league.
During the win against Toronto, Orlando struggled for most of the first half, allowing the Raptors to open up a nine-point lead in the second quarter. The Magic closed the half on a 22-11 run to enter the intermission with a 50-48 lead.
In the third frame, 21-year-old Banchero took over the game, scoring 11 points as part of a 29-8 run to end the quarter and put the game out of reach.
"Not to put his head down and get discouraged, that's growth," said Magic Head Coach Jamahl Mosley on Banchero's resiliency from a first half where he shot 2-for-8 from the field and scored only six points. "He knows how much we believe in him, he knows how much his teammates believe in him."
After winning Rookie of the Year honors last season, Banchero has elevated his game with improvements in points (22.8), field goal percentage (46.2 percent), three-point shooting percentage (36.1 percent), and assists (5.3). ■
Gradey Dick (front) of Toronto Raptors makes a layup during the 2023-2024 NBA regular season game between Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic in Toronto, Canada, March 15, 2024. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)
Gary Trent Jr. (R) of Toronto Raptors vies with Franz Wagner of Orlando Magic during the 2023-2024 NBA regular season game in Toronto, Canada, March 15, 2024. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)
Paolo Banchero (front) of Orlando Magic dunks during the 2023-2024 NBA regular season game between Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic in Toronto, Canada, March 15, 2024. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)
Jonathan Isaac (R) of Orlando Magic blocks Jordan Nwora of Toronto Raptors during the 2023-2024 NBA regular season game between Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic in Toronto, Canada, March 15, 2024. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)
Gary Trent Jr. (R) of Toronto Raptors makes a layup during the 2023-2024 NBA regular season game between Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic in Toronto, Canada, March 15, 2024. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)
Paolo Banchero (C) of Orlando Magic makes a layup during the 2023-2024 NBA regular season game between Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic in Toronto, Canada, March 15, 2024. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)
Markelle Fultz (C) of Orlando Magic makes a layup during the 2023-2024 NBA regular season game between Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic in Toronto, Canada, March 15, 2024. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)
