Close match from start to finish between the Magic and the Nuggets. No team took more than 9 points ahead during the meeting, there were 19 changes of leader and 15 ties, signs that the two teams did not let go of each other during the 48 minutes.
However, it was Denver that came close to building momentum several times, with this 2+1 just before halftime from Reggie Jackson, or this acceleration from the bench at the end of the third quarter.
But each time, the Magic held on to calm the visitors, and finally offer themselves a suspenseful “money-time”. The Nuggets are still leading by one point (112-113) with 2:43 remaining in the match, when Aaron Gordon attacks Franz Wagner and manages to stay balanced in the air to slide the ball into the circle.
But the German, big man of the second half for the Magic, responds. He targets Michael Porter Jr. to attack the rim and score the layup with the foul. Nikola Jokic equalizes (115-115) with a little dribble behind the back against Goga Bitadze in the heart of the racket, but Franz Wagner takes charge again on the following attack. He targets Michael Porter Jr again, and the Nuggets therefore change defense, with Aaron Gordon floating to prevent the Florida winger from being able to attack the rim.
Reggie Jackson therefore has to cover two players and he is behind Paolo Banchero, who draws a 3-pointer. The rebound is fortunate for the Magic strong winger, who sees the ball end up in the circle…
There is still time on the clock but the Nuggets will not be able to turn the tide, while Goga Bitadze and Jalen Suggs take free throws to validate this fifth victory (124-119) in a row.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Franz Wagner with two faces. Transparent in the first half, with only 3 points at 1/6 shooting and -17 on +/-, the German came back transfigured after half-time. Challenged by his teammates, he set the tone from the start, and completed this second period with 24 points at 10/12 shooting, +13 on +/- and decisive actions.
– Denver’s defense still at bay. Without the lucky rebound on Paolo Banchero’s final 3-pointer, the vision of the match would perhaps be totally different, and the strategy of Denver, who wanted to block Franz Wagner by leaving space inside the Italian- American 3-pointer, is not illogical. But in an evening where Paolo Banchero shot 4/5 from afar, she paid cash. Even if as Mike Malone notes, it is above all the 42 points conceded by his men in the fourth quarter which are the most problematic.
– Denver travels poorly. Despite Nikola Jokic’s triple-double (30 points, 13 rebounds, 12 assists), it’s another away defeat for the Nuggets. Perfect at home (7-0), the Rockies players have lost five of their last six outings on the road.
– Orlando, 2nd in the East! With this fifth consecutive victory, the Magic of Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner now have a record of 10 successes for only 5 defeats. Jamahl Mosley’s team is thus in 2nd place in the East, even if the Bucks, the Heat and the Sixers also have the same record!
How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
