After a completely failed match the day before against Charlotte then a complicated first half last night against Denver, the light suddenly returned to the Amway Center. Alongside Desmond Bane and Wendell Carter Jr, it’s Anthony Black who emerged as the big man of the match, for his 38 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists but also for his “clutch” actions at the end of the match, when he had to stand up to the Murray-Jokic duo (24 and 34 points).
Quickly put in difficulty, the Floridians were able to count on the thunderous start of Anthony Black. Building on his match the day before, the guard scored 13 of his team’s first 17 points to put Orlando in the lead (17-12). The passage was short-lived because Denver quickly regained control of the match. Jamal Murray scored three baskets including a 3-pointer before seeing Peyton Watson conclude a 12-2 with a 2+1 (19-24).
Orlando was able to count on the boost from its second unit to pick up the score, between the relays of Jonathan Issac, Jase Richardson and Tristan Da Silva to pick up the score (38-38), until Nikola Jokic in turn took his responsibilities. In his style, the Serbian pivot multiplied the good choices in attack to fuel a 15-2 before the break and put the Nuggets back at a good distance (48-62).
Anthony Black and Desmond Bane through a mouse hole
On the verge of cracking when the gap increased to +17 in favor of the Rockies franchise (53-70), Orlando came back from hell thanks to the rise of Wendell Carter Jr, author of 13 points in the third quarter to accompany a once again hot Anthony Black. Enough to maintain the suspense 12 minutes from time, even if Denver still seemed to hold on, with the contributions of Spencer Jones and Tim Hardaway Jr to punish from afar (84-93).
The Nuggets simply did not anticipate the three minutes of madness that the Magic were about to experience to place an 18-4 and overturn the table (105-101).
Desmond Bane launched the attack with a 2+1, Noah Penda contributed with two valuable throws before letting Anthony Black make his mark again, with a dunk followed by a 3-pointer in the corner after being served wonderfully by Paolo Banchero. The match changed at that moment for Denver, who held their position by scoring important baskets to come back and regain the lead. Except that the Magic never gave up, returning each time to the charge like the trio Bane-Banchero-Carter Jr, who fought to keep Orlando in the game, until the interception of Anthony Black, again him, on Nikola Jokic before going for a 2+1 (121-120).
Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic responded in turn, but Tristan Da Silva’s floater and Desmond Bane’s 4/4 throws allowed the locals to stay the course, until the last shot missed by Jamal Murray against Anthony Black who gave everything until the last second and was rewarded with this prestigious victory (127-126).
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– Nikola Jokic gets closer to Oscar Roberston. It has almost become a habit since Nikola Jokic signed his 16th triple-double in 31 games this season last night, reaching the symbolic mark even before the end of the third quarter against the Magic. If his final performance of 34 points, 21 rebounds and 12 assists was not enough for Denver to win in Florida, the Serb is getting closer to Oscar Robertson and his 181 career triple-doubles with 180 on the clock since that night. Will he manage to return to the height of the “Big O” before 2026? He will have two trips left to Miami, then Toronto to do it.
– Heroic Anthony Black. Already the day before, he had been one of the only ones to survive. But what can we say about his performance of the night, his best career in the NBA, with a thunderous start, a third quarter where he held his team at arm’s length, and this finale marked by this 3-pointer, this interception, this 2+1 (failed), and his last defense on Jamal Murray, failing to steal the ball? With his career record at 38 points at 7/11 from 3-point range, Anthony Black is reaching a milestone, and this Magic really needs it in the absence of Franz Wagner…
– Wendell Carter Jr a risqué gros. The Magic interior was among those who gave the locals hope in the third quarter. His end to the match, however, was less inspired, since he was guilty of two big fouls on Nikola Jokic which could well have cost the match! On Anthony Black’s missed throw, he vulgarly pushed him in the back, then on a jump ball at 124-125, he hooked the Serbian’s arm, sending him to the line while he left the match for six fouls, two actions which had to be challenged by Denver. In the end, Orlando won at the wire and his post 5 must have breathed a big sigh of relief!
How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
