Wendell Carter Jr. scored 15 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, while Jalen Suggs and Cole Anthony also contributed 15 points each as the Orlando Magic ended a three-game losing streak with a dominant 118-88 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night.
Paolo Banchero, who had struggled with late turnovers in the previous game against the Los Angeles Clippers, sat out the fourth quarter and finished with 13 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists.
Nine players from the Magic team made at least one 3-pointer, with the team shooting 22 out of 44 from behind the arc.
Magic coach Jamahl Mosley wasn’t too worried about the losing streak, emphasizing the importance of sticking to the team’s process and playing good basketball, regardless of the outcome.
Jordan Goodwin led the Grizzlies with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Brandon Clarke added 13 points in his second game back from an Achilles injury.
The win brought the Magic closer to the fourth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, with the team now just a game and a half behind New York. With only eight games left in the regular season, the Magic are in fifth place, ahead of Indiana and Miami.
Joe Ingles made three 3-pointers during a 15-0 Magic run in the first quarter, while Anthony and Markelle Fultz hit 3-pointers in the second quarter, giving Orlando a commanding 43-15 lead.
Memphis struggled offensively, shooting just 26.2% in the first half and 36% for the game. Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins credited the Magic’s defense for setting the tone and making it difficult for his team to score.
