Paolo Banchero published 30 points and eight returns in three quarters and the visiting Orlando Magic had one of his biggest offensive performances of the season and pulled Washington Wizards 120-105 Friday night.
It was only the eighth time this season The Magic, which entered as the lowest score in the NBA, has received 120 points or more. They are 7-1 in these games.
Six magical players made in double numbers. Franz Wagner had 21 points for Orlando, while Wendell Carter Jr. had 16 points and 12 returns.
Rookie Alex Sarr had 19 points and 10 boards to lead the magicians, who faded poorly after a strong start.
The win keeps Magic (33-38) stuck in a play-in-tournament with 11 matches left on their schedule. Washington (15-54) has dropped three in a row and owns the worst record in the NBA.
Both teams came out hot, each shooting 61 percent from the floor from the first quarter that ended with the magic of the top 33-30.
Orlando sliced through the Wizards defense during the second quarter. Banchero, who had 20 during the first half, made six in a row for Orlando to drive the lead to 51-43 halfway through the quarter.
Magin closed the first half on an 11-5 run triggered by a three from Cory Joseph and then three by Banchero and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to lead 67-54 at the break.
Orlando dominated the second half. Magin opened the second half with a game-defining 21-8 run highlighted by a steal and a can of Banchero and a couple of three by Joseph, which ended 3-6 from three-point interval.
The biggest leadership was 33 of Magic early in the fourth quarter. Both teams emptied their bench along the route. Orlando exceeded Wizards 55-41.
Reigning Slam Dunk competition champion Mac McClung played the last 5:21 of the competition for the magic, ended 0-for-2 from the floor and with an assist. It was just his second performance with Orlando this season.
Wizards Guard Jordan Poole went 4-for-8 from 3-point interval while scored 18 points. He has now 203 made trips this season, 20 behind Franchiset’s individual season record that Bradley Beal has set 2016-17.
-Field level media
