Basketball star Franz Wagner shines shortly before the start of the playoffs. With Orlando, a win at the end of the NBA main round is a must in order to secure a place in the knockout round.
The Orlando Magic can continue to dream of direct playoff qualification in the NBA. Thanks to a strong performance by basketball world champion Franz Wagner, the team from the US state of Florida won 127:103 (63:54) at the Chicago Bulls.
The German international played his best game since his ankle injury last December and seems to have hit playoff form just in time. The 24-year-old Berlin native became his team’s top scorer with 25 points. Tristan da Silva (two points and six assists) was unable to build on his recent good performances. Moritz Wagner did not play.
Orlando had already opened up a double-digit lead at half-time, but it became really clear after the break and the lead grew to as many as 28 points. Jamal Cain scored 20 points off the bench for Orlando (9/11). Tre Jones was the Bulls’ best scorer with 23.
After their fifth success in a row, the Magic must win their final game of the regular season on Sunday (local time) at the Boston Celtics and hope for a defeat by the Toronto Raptors to climb to sixth place in the table. Although both teams currently have the same record, Orlando lost the head-to-head duel against the Canadians. You can find all the information on the Magic’s chances of making the play-offs here.
