Franz Wagner scores 23, Magic win their 2nd straight to open season 102-97 over the Trail Blazers
PORTLAND, Ore. — Orlando’s ultimate minutes towards the Trail Blazers on Friday evening might need gone in another way for the Magic in years previous.
While Orlando led by as many as 13 factors within the fourth quarter, Portland closed the hole within the waning moments. In the tip, the Magic received their second straight recreation to open the season, holding off the Blazers 102-97.
“I think today is one of those days where we can definitely learn from the last couple of minutes, but it definitely helps having been in those moments, and having a look at it in practice and on film, and seeing what decides those close games,” stated Franz Wagner, who led the Magic with 23 factors. “I think today we didn’t do a great job with that, but we’ll keep learning and keep looking at stuff we did wrong.”
Cole Anthony added 18 factors off the bench for the Magic, enjoying the primary of a four-game western street journey.
Shaedon Sharpe, beginning rather than the injured Anfernee Simons, had 24 factors for the Trail Blazers. Simons was injured in Portland’s opener and can miss as much as six weeks.
“I put the work in so I’m not really fazed by anything,” Sharpe stated about moving into Simon’s function. “I trust my teammates. I like the group of guys we’ve got here.”
Portland trailed 82-80 going into the fourth quarter after Moritz Wagner’s dunk for Orlando. The Magic pushed the result in 97-84 after Franz Wagner’s 3-pointer, however the Blazers received inside 99-93 with 1:33 left.
After Franz Wagner made one in all two free throws, Deandre Ayton’s tip-in made it a five-point recreation however Portland couldn’t get nearer.
Magic coach Jamahl Mosely known as a timeout in these ultimate minutes.
“The guys came into the huddle and the first thing they said was `We’ve been here before, right? This is what we work on in practice. We’ve been through these two-minute drills,’” Mosley stated.
The Magic routed Houston 116-86 of their opener at dwelling on Wednesday. It was the most important margin of victory on opening evening in staff historical past and 6 Magic gamers had been in double figures.
The Blazers introduced earlier than the sport that Simons will miss four-to-six weeks with a thumb harm that requires surgical procedure. He tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his proper thumb throughout Wednesday’s 123-111 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.
The absence of Simons stings because the Blazers embark on their first season with out All-Star guard Damian Lillard, who was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks within the offseason. Simons, who averaged 18 factors final season, was anticipated to fill the void.
Simons, sporting a splint on his thumb, addressed the gang at Moda Center earlier than Friday’s recreation.
“We’ve got a lot of new faces and a lot of things to be excited about,” Simons informed the gang. “We’re hoping we make you proud this season by the way we play.”
The Magic went up 31-26 within the opening quarter, however Sharpe pulled the Blazers in entrance 50-47 with 4:01 left within the first half with a jumper and a layup following Jerami Grant’s steal. Skylar Mays added a layup for Portland.
Orlando closed the hole and tied it at 52 on Franz Wagner’s 3-pointer earlier than heading into halftime with a 63-55 lead. Sharpe led all gamers with 13 factors within the half.
Paulo Banchero’s jumper gave the Magic a 70-59 lead early within the second half earlier than the Blazers pulled inside 72-69 on Sharpe’s 3-pointer. Banchero, final season’s rookie of the yr, completed with 14 factors and 7 rebounds.
Ayton had 14 factors and 15 rebounds for Portland.
UP NEXT
Magic: The street journey continues on Sunday on the Los Angeles Lakers.
Trail Blazers: Visit the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday.
