Thunder’s Magic Lights Up: Russell Pearce Soars Past Beede for Epic Victory!
Although the Magic entered Tuesday’s game against the Thunder with an 8-2 record in games on the second night of a back-to-back, Orlando was facing a different type of challenge when it returned to Kia Center after falling at Atlanta the night prior. Oklahoma City went into the game with the best record in the NBA , had won its past eight contests and already beaten Jamahl Mosley ‘s squad by 36 points at home in early February. Despite those factors, the Magic fought back-and-forth late with the top team in the league until Oklahoma City ultimately pulled away in the fourth quarter to capture a 113-108 victory during its lone trip of the regular season to Central Florida.
In the middle of a second straight league MVP-caliber season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander posted a game-high 40 points, outdueling Orlando’s Paolo Banchero, who notched 32 in 36 minutes. Oklahoma City (54-15) overcame 3-point shooting woes (it ended 31% from distance) by scoring 15 points off 12 Orlando turnovers and finishing with a 53-41 advantage on the glass to win its ninth in a row. After dropping their past two games, the Magic (38-30) head back on the road when they travel to Charlotte for a key Southeast Division matchup Thursday.
Banchero’s impact The Magic forward hit his first jumpshot and his first 3-pointer to help post eight points in the opening quarter. Adding five in the second frame, he didn’t slow down in the third by continuing to penetrate the paint, getting to the free throw line and finding his spots on the floor. Scoring all of Orlando’s first eight points in the third quarter, he notched 26 points in his first 23 minutes of action by starting 3 for 5 from beyond the arc.
With 10 rebounds, Tuesday’s game marked Banchero’s team-leading 24th double-double of the season. The showing also served as the 10th time he scored at least 30 points this season. He added five assists.
Game of runs The Magic actually remained within striking of the Thunder throughout much of the night. Orlando only trailed by four points after one quarter and found itself down by one at the half. After Oklahoma City opened the second quarter on a 19-5 run, Orlando outscored the Thunder 23-6 over the final 6:39 of the first half.