Magic Finish Road Trip on High with Win vs. Hornets
ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic (22-32) is all smiles on the flight home to central Florida after a 119-113 win against the Charlotte Hornets (15-40) Sunday afternoon at the Spectrum Center.
The Magic started off slow on defense with the early 1 p.m. tip, allowing the Hornets to make 67 percent of their shots and put 37 points on the scoreboard.
At the end of the first half, the Magic went on a 20-7 run in the final five minutes to take a four-point lead into the locker room.
The Magic held the lead throughout the third quarter, but coughed it up in the first minute of the fourth with two triples from Hornets guard LaMelo Ball.
The game was tied at 97 with just under eight minutes to go, but a 9-2 run put the Magic ahead until the final whistle.
Paolo Banchero led all Magic scorers with 22 points, while Wendell Carter Jr. added 20 points and 12 rebounds after missing Friday's game with a plantar fascia strain.
The victory clinches a 3-1 record for the Magic on the road trip, picking up wins against the Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Hornets.
The Magic returns home Tuesday for a three-game homestand to face off against the New York Knicks. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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