Beating the same team twice in three days is not an easy task in the NBA.
Adjustments are made. Queues change. Both parties better understand their strengths and weaknesses.
THE Magichowever found a way to settle his affairs in the face of 23 victories Raptors for a second consecutive game Sunday at the Kia Center and won their 40th victory of the season.
Behind 51 combined points of Paolo Banchero (29) and Franz Wagner (22), Orlando improved to 17-2 by holding opponents to fewer than 100 points in the 111-96 home victory.
The win also meant Jamahl Mosley’s team swept the Raptors (23-45) in the regular season, something the franchise hadn’t accomplished since 2011-12.
Winners of three games in a row, the Magic (40-28) continues its eighth home game by hosting the Hornets (17-51) Tuesday (Bally Sports Florida, 7).
Turning tides
After holding a 5-point lead at the break, the Magic outscored the Raptors by 9 points in the third quarter to firmly take control of the game for the remainder of the evening.
In the frame, Banchero made a pair of triples, dished out 2 assists and grabbed 2 rebounds while totaling 14 of his 29 points.
The group as a whole shot 52.2 percent from the field in the third quarter, but it wasn’t just Orlando’s offense that was rolling.
The Magic forced 7 turnovers in the third, the most of any quarter against Toronto, which shot 3 of 9 from beyond the arc in those 12 minutes.
Quick Break Adjustments
In Orlando’s victory at Toronto on Friday, the Raptors totaled 37 points on quick breaks. It was something Mosley admitted the Magic needed to do a better job of limiting heading into Sunday’s rematch.
And that’s what they did.
The Raptors finished with just 16 fast break points on 5 of 13 shooting in those instances. Toronto was averaging a league-high 19.3 fast break points entering the game.
The Magic did a better job against the fastbreak by getting back quicker on defense and taking better shots on offense to avoid leaky situations for the Raptors.
“We did a solid job,” Franz Wagner said. “It took away a lot of their easy points and easy offense.”
Rookie watch
Leading by 20 points, Orlando emptied its bench with 2:44 remaining which allowed Anthony Black and Jett Howard to spend time together on the court.
Black recorded a steal and scored in transition for his only basket of the night.
Howard, who was recalled from the G League on Sunday after another stint with Osceola, missed a 3-point shot from the left wing.
Jason Beede can be contacted at [email protected]
