The Orlando Magic suffered a clear defeat in their matchup with the Denver Nuggets. Even a triple-double from Paolo Banchero couldn’t change that, as Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray were simply too good on the day.
Orlando got off to a much better start. They built up a double-digit lead in the first quarter, which they extended to +15 in the middle of the second quarter. Then the Nuggets suddenly got into their stride, while nothing went right for the Magic.
Within six minutes, the Nuggets turned a 33-47 deficit into a 68-54 lead at halftime. Murray in particular was unstoppable for the Magic during this period, the guard scoring an incredible 20 points (five three-pointers!) in the six minutes before the break. As against New York, Orlando couldn’t rely on its usually strong defense. As a team, Denver shot 56 percent from the field and 44 percent from outside throughout the game. And after the break, they kept their foot on the gas, building a 21-point lead early in the third quarter, which they then managed professionally. Led by Banchero (26 points, 16 assists, and 10 rebounds) and Wendell Carter Jr. (26 points, 9 rebounds), Orlando went on a 15-2 run in the closing stages to bring them within striking distance, but a three-pointer by Cam Johnson with 75 seconds left to make it +9 sealed the deal.
Jokic with another triple-double
Johnson was also the statistically best player on his team with a +27, scoring 19 points on good shooting (6/9 FG, 3/5 three-pointers) and grabbing 11 rebounds. However, Murray was the top scorer with 32 points, while Jokic recorded his 13th triple-double of the season (23, 11 & 13).
In addition to Wagner, Tristan da Silva also missed the game, and Desmond Bane had a rough day, scoring just six points on 3/12 shooting from the field.
The Magic, who are still without Franz Wagner, face three more consecutive away games, first in Utah, then in Golden State, and finally in Portland. Denver, on the other hand, will play at home against the Rockets and Jazz.
