The Orlando Magic have been unbeatable through their first seven home games this season. Duplicating that success on the road has been a different story.
After winning five straight games — all at home — the Magic will look to maintain that momentum when they begin a three-game road trip with a matchup against the Phoenix Suns on Monday.
Phoenix suffered a last-second loss on Sunday, when Julius Randle hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give the Minnesota Timberwolves a 120-117 victory.
Phoenix now travels home to face Orlando, which is 1-6 on the road this season. The Magic’s road struggles date back to last season, when they lost all four of their road playoff games against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Magic offered hope their home success might be transferable while sweeping their five-game homestand, which concluded with a 98-86 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday.
Franz Wagner had 31 points, 11 rebounds and six assists in the win as Orlando held its fifth straight opponent under 100 points.
Franz’s brother, center Moe Wagner, scored 14 points in the victory. Moe Wagner had a simple explanation after holding Philadelphia to 14 points in the fourth quarter.
“I would just say an effort and a willingness,” Moe Wagner said. “I think we still have a lot of potential to be more consistent and more disciplined. This obviously was at home. It’s a lot easier at home. We hope this travels.”
Franz Wagner has emerged as a consistent scoring threat for the Magic, who are playing without injured star Paolo Banchero (oblique).
“(Franz) kind of stepped up here in those last 10 games with Paolo out and you can see it in his day-to-day life,” Moe Wagner said. “He’s super locked in. I didn’t talk to him about it because whatever he’s doing is going great.”
Orlando will need another strong defensive outing against Phoenix and star Devin Booker, who scored 44 points in Sunday’s loss to Minnesota. Booker’s 34 career 40-point games are the most in Suns history.
“I think he came out, put us on his back. Gave us a chance,” Suns coach Mike Budenholzer said. “He was phenomenal. A lot of credit to Book today.”
Phoenix will be without stars Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant again on Monday. Beal will miss his fourth straight game with a left calf strain while Durant is out with the same injury.
The injuries have created more playing time for veteran center Mason Plumlee, who had six points, eight rebounds, four assists and one steal in 29 minutes on Sunday.
“He’s super high energy,” Booker said. “He’s a pleasure to be out on the floor with. He’s communicating at a high level. He’s running like the point center position, just making sure everybody’s in their places.”
Phoenix also received a spark from rookie forward Oso Ighodaro, who scored a career-high 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting off the bench.
Guard Grayson Allen has scored a total of 33 points in his last two games for the Suns, who have won their last five meetings against the Magic in Phoenix.
–Field Level Media
