Field Level Media - Professional sports content solutions | FLM

Franz Wagner scored 23 points and older brother Moritz added 17 on 8-of-8 shooting to help the Orlando Magic post a 102-97 victory over the host Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night.

Cole Anthony had 18 points and fellow reserve Moritz Wagner collected nine rebounds as Orlando won its second straight game to start the season. Paolo Banchero had 14 points, seven rebounds and two steals, and Jalen Suggs added 11 points and four steals for the Magic.

Shaedon Sharpe scored 24 points and reigning Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon added 18 points and seven rebounds off the bench for Portland. Jerami Grant scored 15 points and Deandre Ayton added 14 points and 15 rebounds for the Trail Blazers.

Scott Henderson, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 draft by Portland, had seven points on 3-of-12 shooting in his second career game. He committed five turnovers.

Portland was without Anfernee Simons, who tore a ligament in his right thumb during Wednesday’s season-opening loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. Simons will undergo surgery and miss four to six weeks.

The Trail Blazers trailed 88-84 after two free throws by Jabari Walker with 8:32 remaining before the Wagner brothers took charge with a 9-0 run.

Franz made a shot and Moritz added two baskets to push the Orlando lead to 10. Franz then drilled a 30-foot 3-pointer to make it 97-84 with 5:35 remaining.
Portland answered with a 9-2 run, pulling within 99-93 on Ayton’s basket with 1:33 left.

But the Trail Blazers couldn’t move closer than five and Franz Wagner sealed the win with two free throws with 12.8 seconds left.

The Magic shot 45.6 percent from the field, including 9 of 28 from 3-point range.

Portland made 39.8 percent of its shots and was 9 of 32 from behind the arc.

Anthony scored 14 first-half points as Orlando led 63-55 at the break. Sharpe scored 13 in the half for the Trail Blazers.

The Magic scored the final 11 points of the first half and Franz Wagner opened the second half with a trey to make it an 11-point margin.

Brogdon later scored four straight points to knot the score at 80 with 1:04 left in the third period. Moritz Wagner slammed home a dunk with 52 seconds left as Orlando took an 82-80 edge into the final stanza.

–Field Level Media