ORLANDO, Fla. — Paolo Banchero scored 29 points and the Orlando Magic pulled away from Toronto for a 111-96 victory Sunday night, handing the Raptors their seventh straight loss.
Franz Wagner had 22 points, nine rebounds and five assists for Orlando, and his brother Moritz scored 14 points in the eight-game home opener. The Magic improved to 8-2 in their last 10 games.
“Not every game is going to be high-flying,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said. “Our guys find ways to win and that’s important in this league. Even when the matches aren’t pretty, you find ways to win.
Jordan Nwora led the injury-ravaged Raptors with 18 points. Gary Trent Jr. scored 15 points, and Immanuel Quickley and Bruce Brown each had 12.
Nwora scored 12 straight Toronto points in the third quarter after Orlando opened a 17-point lead.
“At the start of the third quarter, they went on a run,” Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic said. “We missed a few layups and turned the ball over. They were able to get out and score in transition.
The Raptors, who lead the NBA in fast break points after scoring 37 in a loss to the Magic on Friday night, were held to just 16. They made 8 of 31 from 3-point range and committed 18 turnovers.
Caleb Houstan made a 3-pointer just before the halftime buzzer, lifting the Magic to a 52-47 lead at the break.
The Raptors then went without a field goal in the first 3:33 of the second half.
“I think defensively we are really good,” Franz Wagner said. “We have a lot of guys who take a lot of pride on that side of the pitch, and we also have some very smart players. It’s always a good combination.
Nwora went 7-for-9 from the field. He also grabbed seven rebounds in 25 minutes.
“Opportunity is something you have to seize when the moments come,” he said. “Obviously it would be a lot better if they got a few wins, but that’s part of the NBA you have to learn.”
FOLLOWING
Raptors: Host Sacramento on Wednesday.
Magic: welcome Charlotte on Tuesday.
——
APNBA:
