The Orlando Magic’s new-found success has even translated to the highway, as their six-game successful streak now faces a big take a look at in opposition to the host Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday at Inglewood, Calif.
After 5 straight house victories, the Magic hit the highway Monday and earned a 109-99 victory over the Phoenix Suns when Franz Wagner matched a season excessive with 32 factors and Anthony Black added 20. The duo mixed for 17 assists.
After shedding all 5 video games of a highway journey that began the day earlier than Halloween, Orlando is not haunted by that abysmal slide, whilst star Paolo Banchero continues to overlook time with an indirect harm.
The Magic have leaned into their protection, with all six victories within the successful streak coming as their opponent was held below 100 factors.
“That is form of our staff id, and that is what we begin with first within the locker room is protection,” Black stated. “The guards have been pressuring the ball lots, and the bigs and wings have been doing job within the paint serving to us shield the rim and simply serving to clear up our errors.”
The success is drawing consideration with Wagner named the newest Japanese Convention Participant of the Week. The fourth-year participant is averaging a career-best 22.9 factors on the season and 29.0 factors with 6.0 rebounds and 6.3 assists in the course of the successful streak.
Wednesday’s sport is Orlando’s first of a back-to-back within the Los Angeles space, with a matchup Thursday in opposition to the Lakers earlier than a house date in opposition to the Detroit Pistons on Saturday.
The Clippers additionally take pleasure of their protection and have used it to style a five-game house successful streak after a 102-99 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Monday. Los Angeles led by as many as 15 within the second half and 10 within the fourth quarter earlier than the Warriors settled into one other comeback try.
Golden State even had a pair of probabilities from 3-point vary within the closing seconds with an opportunity to tie the sport, together with one from Stephen Curry, earlier than Los Angeles walked away with the victory.
Norman Powell scored 23 factors for the Clippers regardless of coping with hamstring discomfort that developed within the first quarter. James Harden scored 12 factors with 16 assists, whereas taking part in by an sickness, and Ivica Zubac had 17 rebounds.
“Simply coming again house, discovering ourselves once more,” Harden stated of consecutive victories following a 0-3 highway journey. “Holding that staff, which they have been taking part in fairly effectively, below 100 factors, hopefully we will construct on that and maintain going.”
After shedding their first 4 video games of their new enviornment, the Clippers have discovered a recipe for fulfillment with out star Kawhi Leonard, who has not performed in any respect this season and is out indefinitely with a knee harm.
“We gotta maintain our composure, and we gotta play basketball the proper manner,” Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue stated. “Get to our subsequent actions, do not make it a dribble fest.”
Powell is scoring a team-best 23.3 factors per sport, whereas Zubac pulls down 12.4 rebounds. Harden has averaged 20.1 factors and 9.0 assists from the point-guard spot.
