Magic levels off, falls to Hornets despite slow comeback push – Leading Eagle

For most of Monday, the Orlando Magic didn’t bring “it” against the Charlotte Hornets.

“It” was the focus or execution shown in the streak against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday and the Phoenix Suns on Friday.

Early in the third quarter, the Magic began to play with the energy they needed until coach Jamal Mosley changed the full lineup and put an all-bench unit on the floor in place of the starter after being trailed by 19 points. did not.

The starter carried that energy into the fourth, but by then it was too late to correct an earlier error, with the Magic (4-10) losing to the Hornets (4-11) 112-105 at the Amway Center.

The loss ended the Magic’s first two-game winning streak.

“It was just that game,” said manager Jamal Mosley. “You turn the basketball over, lose possession, and give the other side a wide-open layup.”

Orlando struggled in several areas in the first half, scoring 15 Charlotte points in the first two quarters with 13 turnovers and scoring 12 Hornets second-chance points with eight offensive rebounds.

The Hornets’ poor 3-point shooting and solid play from the bench were the main reasons for trailing just 58-45 at halftime.

However, the starters flattened again to start the third, with Mosley leading RJ Hampton, Terrence Ross, Caleb Houston, Kevon Harris and Mobamba to subs with 9:07 remaining in the quarter.

The all-bench unit went on a 9-2 run in the first to make the game more competitive, with the Magic trailing 84-69 at the end of the third.

The starting units of Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner, Chuma Okeke, Bol Bol and Wendell Carter Jr. returned to start the fourth with better energy and cut the deficit to 7 again and again, but the second half push It was too late. The Magic fall 3-3 at homestand.

They recorded 22 turnovers for 21 Hornets points and allowed 14 offensive rebounds for 18 second-chance points, as they had 22 offensive rebounds for 34 second-chance points. , won the rebounding battle 48-37.

All starters had an individual plus/minus of at least minus 11 and all bench players had a plus/minus of at least plus 3.

“If you’re asking if I should play hard every night, absolutely,” Mosley said. “We’ve flattened out a bit. Part of that is giving energy to running, taking care of the basketball, moving the ball. [and] We have energy by sharing basketball. Even without seeing the movie, it was a big part of it: Our Run Against Inadvertent Attacks in Basketball.

Wagner led the Magic with 23 points (9-of-17 shooting), 6 rebounds and 3 assists, while Carter had 20 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists.

Bamba leads the bench with 14 points and 11 rebounds, and Hampton has 10 points.

Mason Plumlee led the Hornets with a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds.

Rookie forward Paolo Banchero Missed 3 games in a row with a sprained left ankle.

Banchero practiced Saturday, and Mosley said, “He’s finished all the training we’ve put in place for him,” and he’ll be a match-time decision.

He was listed as suspect on the team’s injury report, but was ruled out two hours before the call was made.

Banchero’s status does not change from day to day.

“Obviously he wants to play,” Mosley said. “It’s the first time he’s hurt that ankle,” he replied. [being out] good. I am getting the treatment I need. He’s been working with them in the training room and is doing everything it takes to get back on the court.”

When asked if his ankle still hurts before the Orlando Sentinel game, Banchero nodded his head and affirmed yes.

Banchero, the No. 1 pick in June’s draft, was first added to the team’s evening injury report last Tuesday after rolling his ankle during a drive to the basket with 2:51 and 2:51 remaining. . Lost at home to the Houston Rockets November 7th.

He also averaged a team-high 23.5 points for 8.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 34.6 minutes, the highest of any rookie.

cole anthony (Right inner diagonal tear), Markelle Fultz (Broken left big toe) Gary Harris (recovery from left knee injury), Jonathan Isaac (left knee injury recovered) and Moët Wagner (right midfoot sprain) remain sidelined.

For the first time on Monday, the Magic unveiled the all-black City Edition uniform featuring metallic gray accents and the City Edition coat that will be used when wearing the jersey at home.

This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.comEmail Khobi Prices khprice@orlandosentinel.com Or follow him on Twitter. @khobi_price.

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