After snapping a four-game losing streak with one of their most complete outings of the season, the Orlando Magic look to carry the momentum into a matchup against the host Washington Wizards on Tuesday.
The Magic are set to conclude a three-game trip after posting a 117-110 win over the Indiana Pacers on Saturday. Paolo Banchero scored 34 points to lead Orlando, whose tenacious play made a strong impression on the Pacers.
“They play hard every second, every play,” Indiana guard Buddy Hield said. “They’re very beatable, but they play hard. I think their hard play is what separates them. They don’t have any elite shot making, just Gary Harris, but their hard play makes them so elite. … They’re 6-7 at every position. They have guys coming off the bench who are 6-7, 6-8.”
Orlando boasts three 6-foot-10 players in its starting lineup, including Banchero. Last season’s rookie of the year is making a strong case for his first All-Star selection while averaging team bests at 21.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 4.5 assists.
The Magic frontcourt also includes forward Franz Wagner and center Wendell Carter Jr. The formidable frontline helped Orlando outscore Indiana 64-40 in the paint on Saturday.
“That’s what we do, game in and game out,” Banchero said. “We want to be on the rim all night and we were able to do that, establish it early. And then when they started doubling, we were able to throw out of the doubles and get some good swings and either get threes or open layups off of cuts. I think we executed well tonight.”
The Magic are monitoring the status of starting guard Jalen Suggs, who has missed the past two games with a sprained left wrist.
Orlando has won its last four meetings against Washington, including two this season. The rebuilding Wizards enter the contest with five wins in 28 games.
Washington capped a 1-3 road trip with a 129-118 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Friday. Wizards guard Jordan Poole scored 25 points against his former team, while Corey Kispert added 18 points and Daniel Gafford had 15.
Poole has battled inconsistency in his first season with Washington. The fifth-year guard is averaging 17.5 points and 3.6 assists while shooting 40.8 percent from the field and 31.3 percent from 3-point range.
“You’ve got to just keep going, every day. The plan is the plan,” Poole said. “Someone just told me that the other day, and I kind of like it. Everything will pan itself out, you know? You’ve just got to keep doing what you’re doing as long as you’re doing it with the right intent, which I believe in 100 percent. It’s just a matter of time.”
Washington’s long-range plans include players such as Poole and third-year forward Kispert, who is averaging 12.2 points in his last 10 games.
“Just seeing him continue to grow is positive,” Wizards coach Wes Unseld Jr. said. “… He’s shown the ability to score at a high rate and shoot with efficiency, so I think that water will find its level.”
–Field Level Media