Franz Wagner, Cole Anthony Lead Orlando Magic Past Charlotte Hornets For 7th Straight Win
ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic got a hard-earned 130-117 win over the Charlotte Hornets to extend its winning streak to seven on Sunday at the Amway Center.
After not scoring in the first quarter, Franz Wagner scored 12 points in the second quarter and had 30. Cole Anthony had another strong performance off of the bench and also scored 30 points.
Paolo Banchero had 23 points, seven rebounds plus a team-high eight assists in the win. Orlando (12-5) had a season-high 33 assists.
Cole Anthony had 30 points off of the bench.
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Charlotte (5-10) had six players score in double-digits. Miles Bridges led the team with 23 points and Terry Rozier scored 22 in his first game back after missing nine straight with an injury. Rookie forward Brandon Miller, who was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, scored 20 points off the bench for the Hornets.
The Magic got off to a slow start, trailing the Hornets by eight points after the first quarter. Orlando got rolling in the second quarter and outscored Charlotte 36-24 to head into halftime up 61-57.
The Hornets kept it close for most of the second half before Orlando went on a 17-4 run to lead 117-102 with 4:41 left in the game.
The Hornets were without starting point guard LaMelo Ball for most of the game. Ball went up for a layup late in the second quarter with Banchero trailing him. Ball landed awkwardly and then went to the ground, and Banchero landed on top of him.
Ball couldn't put any weight on his right leg and had to be helped to the locker room. The Hornets guard was out for the rest of the game. He finished the game with seven points and two assists.
Orlando forward Jonathan Isaac was out with left ankle soreness, and point guard Markelle Fultz missed his ninth straight game with knee tendonitis.
The Magic will be back on the court on Wednesday when they host the Washington Wizards at 7 p.m. ET at the Amway Center.
