ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic answered a midweek loss with a sharper, more physical performance Friday, defeating the Toronto Raptors 121-114 in NBA Cup group play and cutting their turnover total nearly in half in the process.
After committing 20 turnovers in Wednesday’s loss to the same Raptors squad, Orlando held that number to 13 Friday while shooting 18 of 34 from 3-point range (53 percent) and converting 25 of 29 free throws (86 percent) - a margin that proved decisive despite Toronto attempting 17 more field goals.
“Terrible performance the last game. They out-physicalled us and we were a way more intense team than the other night,” Franz Wagner said on the MagicTV broadcast. “Big-time response from us and onto the next one.”
Wagner finished with 26 points, five rebounds and a career-matching-high 11 assists. Desmond Bane led all scorers with 28 points, Wendell Carter Jr. added 20 points and seven rebounds, and Anthony Black contributed 17 points, six rebounds and a career-tying-high 10 assists. Jase Richardson scored only four points, but the Magic outscored Toronto by 26 with the 6-foot-1 point guard on the floor.
Toronto’s Scottie Barnes was nearly unstoppable, posting a career-best 41 points on 19-of-34 shooting, with Immanuel Quickley adding 17. The Raptors also pulled down 15 offensive rebounds and committed just 11 turnovers, yet still fell short because Orlando attempted and made 14 more free throws and knocked down six more 3-pointers.
Orlando’s closing stretch sealed it. After Toronto took a two-point lead with 8½ minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the Magic responded with a 21-12 run to end the game. “We just doubled down on the things we’ve done all training camp, all through September,” Bane said. “Things we’ve talked about defensively. Offensively, we didn’t panic. Tristan (da Silva) made big shots. Franz obviously making plays. Everybody all the way up and down the roster. Very pleased and something we can build off of.”
The victory improves Orlando to 12-4 all time in NBA Cup action. Last season the Magic went 4-0 in group play and 5-1 overall, with their only loss coming in the semifinals against the eventual Cup and NBA champion New York Knicks. Their remaining group play games include home matchups against the Bucks and Pistons and a road trip to Brooklyn.
“How we played tonight with our physicality and energy all night; that’s got to become a habit,” Wagner said on MagicTV. The Magic return to Kia Center to host the Boston Celtics on Sunday at 3:30 p.m.