The Orlando Magic defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 132-120, in a game where the Magic’s playoff ambitions took a step forward.
Magic Surge Ahead in Second Half
Paolo Banchero led the Magic with 20 points and eight rebounds. Desmond Bane contributed 18 points and six assists. Franz Wagner added 17 points. Goga Bitadze came off the bench to score 14 points and grab 15 rebounds.
The Magic shot 53.7% overall in their home finale.
Wagner scored twice to help Orlando break away from a 47-47 tie to a 63-53 halftime lead. Jalen Suggs hit a couple of 3-pointers and a layup on a 22-6 burst that broke the game open in the third quarter. The Magic led by 24 at one point.
Timberwolves’ Key Players Absent
Terrence Shannon Jr. led the Timberwolves with a career-high 33 points. Jaden McDaniels, back in the lineup after missing six games with a left knee injury, added 18 points in 19 minutes.
The Timberwolves played without Anthony Edwards (right knee injury) and four players who started Tuesday night’s win at Indiana that clinched their Western Conference playoff spot. Julius Randle missed his first game of the season and Rudy Gobert missed his fifth.
Shannon scored 29 points in the second half, hitting five of seven 3-point shots. He made 11 of 14 shots overall and also had five assists.
Playoff Implications for Orlando
The Magic have now won four straight. This win pulled the Magic (44-36) up to seventh place in the tight race for playoff/play-in positions.
- The Magic could finish anywhere between sixth and ninth in the Eastern Conference.
- They have two road games remaining.
- These are against Chicago on Friday and Boston on Sunday.
The Timberwolves have lost five of seven.
The Timberwolves are at Houston on Friday night. The Magic are at Chicago on Friday night.