Narrowly defeated against Sacramento and Houston, Orlando returned to victory against Dallas, relying on an iron defense and a powerful team, centered around a Franz Wagner who distinguished himself by his regularity, contrasting with a Luka Doncic who completely collapsed at the end of the match.
Despite the absence of Paolo Banchero, victim of a sprained ankle, Orlando made a good impression at the start of the game with in particular the pair Wagner-Carter Jr. who then passed the baton to the “Twin Towers”, Bol Bol and Mo Bamba. Led by an inspired although clumsy Luka Doncic (5/13 in the first quarter), Dallas nevertheless managed to take the lead after 12 minutes, following an 8-2 orchestrated by the Slovenian (24-28).
Spencer Dinwiddie then helped to increase the gap to +10 (24-34) until the return of Franz Wagner revived the locals. The German found himself in all the right moves and even improved the 3-pointers of Bol Bol and Jalen Suggs with a last drive before the break to bring Orlando down to -4 (50-54).
Dallas failed to stand out after returning from the locker room. The efforts of Mo Bamba, Jalen Suggs and Wendell Carter Jr were rewarded when the latter equalized at 72-72 from a 3-pointer in transition. The Magic even passed on a shot from Caleb Houstan before a final basket from Maxi Kleber to conclude the period (73-74).
Gradually, Orlando realized his opportunities, including a great left-handed lay-up signed Terrence Ross with a fault as a bonus, a decisive 3-pointer from Chuma Okeke and a step-back “made in Dirk Nowitzki” to finish the job of the part of Franz Wagner (92-83). Uninspired, Luka Doncic faltered at the worst moment and Franz Wagner was able to conclude the meeting with two last shots to ensure victory for his team, 94 to 87.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The content and the result. Like last season, Orlando was often in the game in its meetings even if there was no victory at the end. Last night, the Magic delivered a big performance, relying on a solid defense and unchallenged rebound domination, and was rewarded with its third success of the season. If the balance sheet is not yet there at the start of the financial year, the content is rather encouraging.
– Franz Wagner’s recital. We were still treated to a very good score from the German, who was essential in the offensive animation of the Magic. Present in the scoring, it is also he who made the decisive pass for the 3-pointer Chuma Okeke in the final and who was responsible for concluding the free throw. We expected him at the turn after his successful Euro, and he is responding for the moment.
– The stereotypical Mavericks offense. Dallas could only rely on Luka Doncic and Spencer Dinwiddie to score and suffered greatly from this lack of variety. Dominated in the key, interiors Maxi Kleber and Dorian Finney-Smith, the only players with more than 6 points, mainly shone on the outside shot, also illustrating the Magic’s dominance in the fight in the paint. Even before the Slovenian collapsed at the end, this lack of alternation was glaring.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Franz Wagner. The German revived his team at the start of the second quarter with scoring, an alley-oop for Wendell Carter Jr, an assist for Caleb Houstan and defense. Main creator of the formation of Jamahl Mosley, he allowed Orlando to resist over time and did not parade at the end, with in particular his step-back to Dirk Nowitzki. It was he who killed the suspense at the free throw.
✅ Spencer Dinwiddie. Aggressive on both sides of the floor, he assured when Luka Doncic was on the bench, like his start to the fourth quarter, when he chained a 3-point then a big dunk left hand to put his team on the right path. Not much to complain about at the end.
⛔️ Luka Doncic. Rather interesting and incisive over the first three quarters, the Slovenian completely lost his way towards the end of the match. He signed his return five minutes from the end with an unusual 0/2 aus throws and multiplied the bad choices then, in attack as in defense. His series of consecutive matches beyond 30 points therefore ends on the floor of Orlando.
THE FOLLOWING
– Magic : Orlando will host Phoenix this Friday (01:00).
– Mavericks : back-to-back for Jason Kidd’s troops who are on to Washington this evening (01:00).
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