Fourth success in five games for Charlotte who held on to the end at the Amway Center.
After a start dominated by the Magic, boosted by the Anthony-Wagner duo, Charlotte quickly returned at the end of the first quarter, then giving way to a close match. The locals tried to make a difference before the start of the last act, going to +8 after an 11-3 fueled by Mo Bamba and Gary Harris (85-77).
But it was Charlotte who dominated the debates in the end. Thanks to 8 points from Miles Bridges and a 3-point from Jalen McDaniels to pick up at 91-91 at the end of the third quarter. Gordon Hayward then marked the beginning of the “money-time” of his imprint with a dunk, a mid-distance shot and a golden serve for the 2 + 1 from Mason Plumlee (101-109).
The Magic of Cole Anthony did not recover, losing for good (111-120) after a final missile behind the arc signed Miles Bridges.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Orlando’s last missed quarter. 31 points scored in the first quarter, 30 and 32 in the following periods, then… 18 points in 12 minutes to finish. The Magic hit the blackout at the worst time, shooting themselves in the foot with 8 of their 18 balls lost in the final act. Charlotte was not asking for so much!
– Silence it grows. Associated since the start of the season, the inside pair Carter Jr-Bamba has certainly delivered its best performance so far with two double-doubles on the clock. Wendell Carter Jr. was aggressive, signing 20 points 8/15 shooting, and 10 rebounds. Mo Bamba was also interesting in streaks, returning 14 points and 10 rebounds. The rotation did not follow, and Robin Lopez remained on the bench. Pity.
– Charlotte on point in attack. Charlotte is reaping the rewards of her stability in her fluid offensive play which helped make the difference tonight. We note in particular the very good success rate of the 3-point Hornets (14/30, or 47%). James Borrego’s troops have scored 120 points, just one point off their average at the start of the season, 121.2 points per game, the second best in the league.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Miles Bridges. The winger confirmed his good start by signing his third game of the season at 30 points and more. Author of 31 points and 6 rebounds, he was invaluable when the Hornets took a nosedive at the end of the third quarter, then by killing the match with a 3-point missile at the head of the racket at the very end of the game.
✅ Cole Anthony. Passed through during the last game in Miami after his big performance in New York, Cole Anthony found the thread that night. The leader was again distinguished by a big activity in the first half to sign a new complete game with 24 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists. His success from afar, however, has relapsed for two games.
✅ Jalen McDaniels. Perhaps the X factor of this meeting in favor of the Hornets. Already author of a good comeback against Boston in the previous game, Post 4 delivered a new solid performance off the bench with 16 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 against and 2 steals. His 3-point 4/5 has done Charlotte a lot of good
⛔ Jalen Suggs. The Magic rookie is still struggling to find himself in the Jamahl Mosley collective. Cole Anthony took the “leadership and Jalen Suggs lost the pedals, which was again the case in this match which he finished with 8 points and 5 assists to accompany his 4 balls lost in 36 minutes of play. At the start of the season, Jalen Suggs is shooting at 29% (18/63), which was confirmed last night with his 3/11, including 0/5 at 3-points.
THE FOLLOWING
Orlando (1-4) : meet in Toronto tomorrow to try to regain the victory.
Charlotte (4-1) : traveling to Miami tomorrow for a duel of fit teams.
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