Second setback in a row for the Hornetsdespite a very good LaMelo Ball at 35 points. THE Magic makes its mark without Paolo Banchero and after having had four losses in a row, Jamahl Mosley's team wins a third victory in a row and returns to balance (6v-6d).
The Kia Center in Orlando will be treated to suspense only during the first quarter. The Hornets were quickly carried by Ball who, with a smile, followed up with two 3-pointers. But Jalen Suggs puts his stamp on this first quarter by responding immediately. The rear is everywhere, from mid-distance, from afar and above all 100% shooting in this first quarter. Only LaMelo Ball responds in front with three winning shots from behind the arc. The Hornets come back together, but Orlando inflicts a 7-0 to get back in front (31-29).
After Jalen Suggs, the Franz Wagner show
Williams, at 3-points, allows the Hornets to stay in the game. But Wagner is omnipresent and gets a foul under the hoop. By concluding from a distance with a “stepback” on Moussa Diabaté, the Magic took a 10-point lead thanks to the German's 13 units in this second quarter. On the interception on Cody Martin then on Ball, the winger is everywhere and the Hornets have no answer to give him. The Magic, relaxed, leads by 11 points at the break (58-47).
On the restart, Grant Williams still shoots from afar, but Franz Wagner responds immediately from mid-distance. The Hornets come back to 5 points, but this time it is Goga Bitadze who gets the better of Taj Gibson. Rookie Tristan Da Silva recovers a missed shot from Wagner to increase the Magic's lead. Tidjane Salaün steals the ball and offers the Magic an easy counter-attack and for almost five minutes, the Hornets score no points! At 23 points difference, the match is over (89-66).
Moussa Diabaté will take advantage of this meeting to once again express his great energy of the moment, by showing himself several times under the hoop and grabbing several rebounds. The Frenchman even went so far as to sign his first career double-double!
The good score from Grant Williams (15 points at 3/5 from a distance) will not change anything in the appearance of the meeting and the gap rises to 30 points. In the end, the Magic won 114-89 and remained undefeated at home.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs, bosses. 32 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists for Wagner, who nipped in the bud each attempt by the Hornets to come back to the score at the start of the match. 17 points at 50% shooting for Suggs, who knew how to set the tone from the start of the match. In the absence of Paolo Banchero, the Florida ship has been better for three games.
– First career double-double for Moussa Diabaté! At 6/7 on shots, the winger compiled 15 rebounds and 12 points, a first for the Frenchman! Third solid performance on rebounds, after grabbing 15 against the Pacers and 11 in Philadelphia. Tidjane Salaün is still having difficulties on shots, at 1/6 on shots despite 21 minutes of play. The former Cholet player does not seize his chance in the absence of Miles Bridges.
– LaMelo Ball way too alone. With six award-winning shots and 35 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds, the leader was far too alone to respond to the Magic's incessant assaults. At 29.4 points on average, the All-Star point guard remains in the Top 5 best scorers.
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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.
