04-04-2025
Beede's Breakdown: Magic overcome 3rd-quarter woes to win at Wizards
Although the Magic had won their first three meetings against the Wizards by an average margin of 20.6 points, younger teams such as Washington searching for momentum to carry into the offseason can be difficult to put away.
The Wizards accomplished exactly that type of win against the Kings on Wednesday night at Capital One Arena.
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Although it wasn't pretty at times, Orlando avoided a similar fate 24 hours later when Jamahl Mosley's squad left the nation's capital on top, 109-97, thanks to a combined 60 points from Paolo Banchero (33) and Franz Wagner (27).
The Wizards never led after the first quarter, and never led by more than 3, but they cut their deficit to single digits multiple times in the second half.
The victory secured the season sweep against Washington (17-60) and it was Orlando's 10th win in a row against its Southeast Divison foe.
The Magic (38-40) will have some time off before they return to Kia Center when they host the Hawks on Tuesday.
Banchero's big night
Not only did Banchero reach 30-plus points for the 16th time, he grabbed a career-high 18 rebounds to go with 8 assists in 39 minutes.
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He recorded his 10th double-double by attacking the paint, where Orlando outscored Washington 50-40.
It also was Banchero's 16th consecutive contest with 20-plus points and 5-plus rebounds.
Banchero and Wagner each scored 20-plus points for the 10th straight game.
Third quarter strikes again
The Magic returned to their same old habits out of halftime when they settled for shots, didn't share the ball and waited too long to call a timeout.
The Wizards cut a 19-point deficit down to 3 for a moment behind a 15-5 run.
Wizards rookie Bub Carrington scored 11 points in the frame and Marcus Smart added 10 when both made a pair of 3-pointers when Washington scored 6 points off 4 turnovers.
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The Magic led just 81-76 entering the final 12 minutes.
Free points
The Magic, who entered Thursday with the 20th free throw percentage in the league (77.5%), shot well above that.
In the first half alone, Orlando made 16 of 17.
Banchero, who's fourth among all players with 8.4 free throw tries per game, made 6 of 7 before the break to help him notch 20 points in 20 first-half minutes.
The Magic finished 22 of 25 (88%) and only let Washington take 11, making 9.
Rookie watch
No. 18 pick Tristan da Silva didn't see the floor for the second straight game as a healthy scratch.
Jason Beede can be reached at jbeede@
