Magic Guard Cole Anthony Flirts With Triple-Double vs. Spurs; Best Game of Career?
ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic is riding high after a 20-point win against the San Antonio Spurs Friday night.
The team's win was earned in the late third and early fourth quarter, where the team went on a 19-3 run to ice the game. The point guard running the offense during that stretch was Cole Anthony, who finished the game one assist shy of a triple-double off the bench and a +22.
Anthony's 23 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists make up one of the best games of his career so far, even if he was shy of a goal. However, the third-year guard had a positive mindset on it after the game.
"I didn't wanna force it," Anthony said. "I probably could have gotten it, but when it happens, it's going to happen naturally."
Anthony's performance and selflessness earned the respect of his head coach Jamahl Mosley.
"I respect that he respects the game," Mosley said. "That he didn’t chase a stat. He just went after it. Understanding, and respecting the game, however we come away with a win, no matter what numbers are put up.”
Anthony's performance Friday night sits up there with some of the best games in his career. His 23 points mark the second-highest point total this season for Anthony, and his first double-double of the season. It's also just the sixth time in his career that Anthony has grabbed 10 or more rebounds.
After missing 17 games with an oblique strain, Anthony has been a huge plus in his return to the lineup. As a sparkplug off the bench, Anthony gives Orlando a true facilitator in the second unit. The Magic is 8-5 since Anthony's return and continue to trend in the right direction.
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