After splitting a pair of video games throughout their European doubleheader and conquering any lingering jet lag, the Orlando Magic will return to the courtroom to face the visiting Charlotte Hornets on Thursday evening.
Orlando defeated Memphis final Thursday in Berlin earlier than the groups traveled to London, the place the Grizzlies evened the two-game set with a 126-109 victory on Sunday.
The Magic will face an enhancing Charlotte staff that rallied within the second half earlier than shedding 94-87 to the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday. The Hornets are 3-3 of their final six video games.
Orlando will search for a fast begin after being outscored 79-46 within the first quarters mixed towards the Grizzlies.
Ahead Franz Wagner is averaging a team-high 22.2 factors for the Magic, who trailed by 33 factors halfway by the second quarter in Sunday’s loss.
“There’s issues we will should appropriate and clear up — that is with each sport whether or not you win or lose,” Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley mentioned. “Our skill to start out somewhat stronger, be taught somewhat quicker and have a way of urgency to start out the sport is one thing that was trending. So we have to verify we clear that up.”
Orlando is monitoring the standing of guard Jalen Suggs, who has missed the final seven video games because of a proper knee MCL bruise. Suggs is listed as questionable for Thursday’s contest, whereas heart Moe Wagner is anticipated to be obtainable after lacking Sunday’s sport because of left knee harm administration.
The Magic returned house from Europe on Monday and rested Tuesday earlier than training on Wednesday. Ahead Paolo Banchero mentioned the staff is optimistic concerning the path forward.
“The group is collectively,” he mentioned. “All of us belief one another and have one another’s backs. Heading into this back-half (of the season), we have to discover a method to string some constant basketball collectively and get wins. Hopefully, we will go on a streak right here as a result of we’re proper in the course of the standings.”
Orlando has cut up its first two conferences towards the Hornets this season. The Magic received 123-107 in Charlotte on Oct. 30 earlier than shedding 120-105 at house on Dec. 26.
The Hornets trailed 56-32 on the half and by no means led in Wednesday’s loss to Cleveland. Brandon Miller led Charlotte with 24 factors and rookie Kon Knueppel added 21 factors and 11 rebounds.
Miller has scored no less than 23 factors in 4 consecutive video games for the Hornets, who shot 8 of 47 (17%) from 3-point vary in Wednesday’s loss.
Charlotte guard LaMelo Ball got here off the bench as a part of a plan to handle his minutes. He completed with two factors on 1-of-15 capturing from the sphere, together with 0 of 10 from 3-point vary.
“Whatever the capturing numbers, he continued to scrap and claw defensively,” Hornets coach Charles Lee mentioned. “His engagement there was actually good. Offensively, taking some good photographs, looking for his rhythm in pick-and-roll, however he additionally tried to get on the offensive glass a pair occasions.”
Knueppel was requested after the sport if Ball’s absence within the beginning lineup contributed to the Hornets’ sluggish begin.
“It is somewhat totally different when (LaMelo) is coming off the bench,” Knueppel mentioned. “It is somewhat little bit of adjustment, as we’re attempting to handle his minutes within the back-to-backs, however we have simply acquired to be sharper.”
–Subject Degree Media
