Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs, right, celebrates after his 3-point basket with guard Gary Harris (14) as Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) and forward John Collins (20) react during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
ORLANDO, Fla. — Jalen Suggs made three 3-pointers in the final three minutes and finished with 15 points as the Orlando Magic beat the Utah Jazz 115-107. in the NBA Thursday evening.
Paolo Banchero, back in the lineup after missing two games with the flu, had 29 points and nine rebounds for the Magic, who won for the 10th time in 13 games. The Wagner brothers, Franz and Moritz, each added 14 points. Suggs shot 5 for 8 from the field and 4 for 7 from 3-point range before fouling out in the final seconds.
Before Suggs’ outburst, Orlando had made just 7 of 27 3-point attempts and hadn’t made a single one since Gary Harris connected with 4:38 left in the third quarter.
READ: NBA: Paolo Banchero delivers in clutch as Magic beats Pistons
.@jalensuggs on his clutch three-pointer at the end of the 4th
“The greatest thing was the bench and their reactions… I don’t know. it was a great victory. ???? pic.twitter.com/fmPttiSSP0
– Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) March 1, 2024
“I think we’re learning to win and adapt to the way the game is going, and tonight was another example of that,” Suggs said. “We didn’t make any shots, but we were playing great defense and getting to the rim. He (Banchero) was crazy to start the fourth and keep us in the game, and that gave us a chance to win down the stretch.
John Collins, Keyonte George and Collin Sexton each scored 19 points and Lauri Markkanen added 18 for the slumping Jazz, who lost their second straight and seventh time in eight games.
The Magic went more than 13 minutes without a 3-point field goal before Suggs made one with 2:49 left. He made all three of his long shots in 90 seconds, extending Orlando’s lead from 101-100 to 110-103.
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Utah stayed in contention, shooting 16 of 37 from long range. But, playing without Walker Kessler, the NBA’s No. 3 shot blocker, the Jazz had just one block and were outscored 45-37. Walker is out with a sprained right foot.
“We put ourselves in a position to win the game. That’s where we want to be with two minutes to play, with a one-point lead,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said. “I felt like in the last stretch, he “There were a few plays that just didn’t go our way. … Jalen Suggs had a few 3s late. That can happen in an NBA game.”
After Orlando took a double-digit lead in the first half, Jordan Clarkson and Markkanen made 3-pointers during an 11-0 run as Utah closed to within 53-52 at the break.
A Sexton 3-pointer gave the Jazz the lead midway through the third quarter, and when Markkanen made another 3-pointer a minute later, Utah was 13 for 26 from long range.
Utah was never able to get its short-lived lead beyond four points.
Banchero, who was only cleared to play just before tipoff, scored 12 of Orlando’s first 21 points in the final period before Suggs took over.
“I couldn’t move. I couldn’t jump. I was very limited,” Banchero said of his two missed matches. “I still have the sniffles and stuff, but my body feels a lot better.
“I felt pretty good. I was a little rusty in my decision making and I was a little tired at times, but I managed in the fourth. My teammates encouraged me to stay aggressive.
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NEXT NBA SCHEDULE
Jazz: Visit Miami on Saturday.
Magic: Host Detroit on Sunday.
