In a contested match at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, the Hornets set the tone for the Magic by Franz Wagner from the start of the match.
Like LaMelo Ball who finds Brandon Miller high, then Gary Harris at 3-points, Charlotte plays without complexes. But the Magic responded without delay.
Goga Bitadze takes his bearings in the racket then Anthony Black does the same behind the arc. Moussa Diabaté, still in good shape, distinguished himself with a huge counter on a dunk attempt from Black, well served high up. The Frenchman's rebounds allow the Hornets to find Seth Curry at 3-points and Charlotte is in front (25-18).
LaMelo Ball untouchable
LaMelo Ball consolidates his team's lead by responding to Franz Wagner who is gorging himself on the counterattack. With a “floater” first, then at mid-distance, the leader opened his 3-point counter before finding Curry in the “corner”.
Bitadze gets rid of Diabaté to finish with a dunk but Ball uses his devastating step-back to maintain the Hornets' lead. Before the break, the number 3 of the 2020 Draft shines again with a fanciful long shot and with 13 points alone in this second quarter, the Hornets lead by four points (42-46).
Returning from the locker room, LaMelo Ball continues to sneak through the Magic defense but rookie Tristan Da Silva leads the way with 3-pointers then under the hoop, well found by Franz Wagner. The German siblings give the Magic a boost since this time it's Moe Wagner who finds the target at mid-distance then behind the arc. Orlando pushes, comes back to two points, before starting the last quarter still trailing by four units (58-62).
The awakening of Magic
Cody Martin tries to knock out the opposing hopes with a powerful “dunk”, first generated by a fake 3-point shot. But Cole Anthony responds with a long shot, imitated by Franz Wagner who puts his paw in the last act. The German steals balls to serve Jonathan Isaac at 3-points, who stands out three times from distance in the same “corner”!
Orlando goes back in front and the drives of LaMelo Ball no longer have the same impact this time. And even if the Hornets star still finds the 3-point target, Wagner returns the favor from afar before concluding with a “dunk” on a throw-in. The 2023 world champion scores 12 points and is well helped by his bench, the Magic finally wins 95-84 !
Third victory in a row for the Magic, 3rd in the East (12v-7d). Second consecutive setback for the Hornets, 12th (6v-11d), who remained on four straight home victories.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– Franz Wagner and the Magic bench provide. With 21 points, 7 assists and 4 interceptions, the German sounded the Magic's wake-up call at the end of the match. The Orlando bench surpasses that of the Hornets by scoring 53 points against 15 with four players at least 10 points.
– LaMelo Ball on fire. Despite his 44 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists, the Hornets star only has Brandon Miller (20 points) as real support, and as soon as he leaves the field, the attack is broken down. The fact remains that he is the hottest player at the moment with 132 points over his last three matches.
– Tidjane Salaün still clumsy, another record for Moussa Diabaté. With the numerous absences on the Hornets side, the Frenchman, promoted to the starting position for the third time in his career, did not seize his chance. Despite 30 minutes of play, the Hornet only scored one shot, 0/3 overall despite 7 rebounds. Moussa Diabaté sets a new personal record with 4 blocks, rewarding the consistency of his activity under the circles.
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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.
