The Orlando Magic possess confidence based on their recent performance, and they will try to avoid any slippage against one of the NBA’s bottom teams on Tuesday.
That’s when the Magic hit the road to face the Charlotte Hornets.
Orlando (34-38) could be hitting its stride, having earned four victories in a six-game stretch. The Magic currently sit in eighth place in the Eastern Conference, the second play-in position.
“Making the postseason last year, we want to maintain that level of success around here,” Orlando forward Paolo Banchero said. “It takes a certain level of work. It takes a certain level of accountability throughout the whole group.”
The Magic took down the visiting Los Angeles Lakers 118-106 on Monday night, with Franz Wagner and Banchero scoring 32 and 30 points, respectively.
Banchero has reached the 30-point level in three consecutive games, though his string of team-leading point totals ended at nine games.
Wagner, who secured his first game with 30 or more points since Feb. 10, said he is feeding off the trend that Banchero has established.
“A lot of times I just try to follow his lead and try to have that same demeanor,” Wagner said. “If we keep pushing each other, I think we’ll be in great shape here in Orlando.”
One area that could use improvement is Orlando’s 15-21 road record, though the Magic have won their past two road games and three of their past four away from home.
“We have a lot of basketball left to be played,” Banchero said.
The Hornets (18-53) will enter a game for the first time this season officially out of playoff contention. They were eliminated from any postseason possibilities with a 122-105 loss at Miami on Sunday.
Charlotte has won one of its past five games. The Hornets have allowed at least 120 points in six of their past seven outings, so no matter what they achieve on offense, they tend to be hindered by what happens at the defensive end.
Nick Smith Jr. recorded 19 points against the Heat to lead the team.
“I have high expectations for myself when I put the work in,” said Smith, a 20-year-old second-year player. “I’m going to get better naturally, and I’m still young. I still have a lot to learn. I’m going be good in this league for sure.”
Charlotte has made some adjustments, with Moussa Diabate logging extensive time at power forward.
“He impacts the game so positively with his energy, his versatility defensively and offensively,” Hornets coach Charles Lee said. “All the offensive rebounds, and I think that his offensive game continues to grow. You want to find minutes for guys like that. I appreciate his open-mindedness.”
Charlotte’s Josh Okogie was listed as questionable in advance of the Tuesday game. He has been out of NBA action since Jan. 31 because of a left hamstring ailment, but he has been on a rehab assignment with the G League’s Greensboro Swarm.
The Magic have defeated Charlotte in all three meetings this season, most recently prevailing 102-86 on Feb. 12 at home. The Hornets haven’t climbed to the 90-point mark in any of the matchups this season.
–Field Level Media
