Franz Wagner has been making life with out Paolo Banchero a complete lot simpler for the Orlando Magic.
Wagner has averaged 27.6 factors, 5.8 rebounds and seven assists over the previous 10 video games and can attempt to keep within the zone Wednesday night time when Orlando collides with the visiting Chicago Bulls.
The Magic have gone 9-1 throughout Wagner’s stupendous run, most lately beating the Charlotte Hornets 95-84 on Monday night time. Wagner put up a team-high 21 factors to go along with seven assists, however it was the bench that carried Orlando to victory.
Reserves Moritz Wagner (16 factors), Cole Anthony (16), Jonathan Isaac (11) and Anthony Black (10) scored in double figures because the second unit accounted for 55.8 % of the Magic’s factors.
Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley hopes his crew can proceed to thrive within the face of adversity. Banchero hasn’t performed since Oct. 30 attributable to a torn proper indirect, and the Magic additionally had been lacking Jalen Suggs (hamstring) and Wendell Carter Jr. (foot) on Monday. Guard Gary Harris logged solely seven minutes of motion earlier than happening with a hamstring damage.
“Gutsy win — gritty and gutsy win,” Mosley stated of Monday’s efficiency. “Our bodies down and we did not make excuses. This group would not make excuses. That is the second sport the place we discovered a technique to win. Guys stepped up, stepped in.”
Suggs and Carter are anticipated again on Wednesday, however Harris already has been dominated out.
Regardless of not being practically as banged-up as Orlando, Chicago hasn’t been capable of finding a groove, going 5-9 for the reason that begin of the month. The Bulls did, nevertheless, come away with a win final day trip, topping the Washington Wizards 127-108 on Tuesday night time.
Coby White was one in all seven Bulls scorers in double figures with 21 factors. He additionally had eight rebounds, and Nikola Vucevic, who was with Orlando from 2012-21, chipped in 19 factors and 12 boards.
It was a powerful efficiency for Chicago, however it got here towards a Washington crew that’s 2-14 this season. Bulls coach Billy Donovan now needs to see what his group can do towards the surging Magic.
“I feel it’s important to play who’s in entrance of you, and also you have a look at it as, ‘Did we do the issues we have talked about doing?'” Donovan stated. “No query there was progress. Popping out of this sport (towards Washington), it is not like, ‘Oh, wow, all the things is mounted.’
“My factor is, can we do it (Wednesday) night time towards a crew that is larger, stronger, extra athletic?”
Like Orlando, Chicago might get some further assistance on Wednesday, as guard Lonzo Ball hopes to make his return following a 15-game absence attributable to a proper wrist damage.
Ball got here off the bench in three video games earlier this season and averaged 4.7 factors.
“When it comes to his exercise and no matter (the medical crew) has to do, so long as there isn’t any setbacks, there is a sturdy chance he’ll play,” Donovan stated. “He has been doing a little contact one-on-one, some taking pictures, catching, taking pictures off the dribble — he is doing all that stuff.”
