ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando Magic didn’t have to look too far back when game-planning for the Toronto Raptors.
They won’t have to for Sunday, either.
The Magic were only five days removed from their 121-108 road loss to the Raptors when the teams matched up again Friday.
It was evident the recent matchup helped the Magic (7-20), who came out hot offensively, scoring 37 in the opening quarter and 67 in the first half en route to a 113-108 win over the Raptors (13-13) at Amway Center.
Franz Wagner scored a season-high 34 points, including a put-back layup after Markelle Fultz (15 points, five assists and three rebounds) missed a midrange shot to give the Magic a 111-109 lead with 26.9 seconds remaining.
Paolo Banchero (23 points, six rebounds and four assists) sealed the victory with two free throws, giving the Magic back-to-back wins for the second time this season. They were coming off a 116-111 home victory over the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday.
“It’s great,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said pregame of being able to play a team multiple times so close together. “The guys understand and feel what they did to us last game. Their level of physicality, them turning us over, them attacking the basket — they understand what to expect and now it’s if we can go out there and execute the gameplan the right play.”
Cole Anthony added 18 points (7-of-10 shooting), five assists and three rebounds off the bench. Moe Wagner had 11 points, four rebounds and two assists while Bol Bol had 10 points and six rebounds.
Pascal Siakim led the Raptors with 36 points.
Playing a team multiple times within a tight time span — especially back-to-back games — allows for better game planning.
It was clear what the Magic needed to improve after allowing 56% shooting, 12 offensive rebounds, only recording 24 defensive rebounds and having 16 turnovers lead to 29 Raptors’ points last Saturday.
They shored up the rebounding (seven offensive allowed) while overcoming their struggles with turnovers (20 for 20 Toronto points) and fouling (27) with strong shooting (59.2% from the field, 38.5% on 3s).
They’ll play each again Sunday at Amway Center to wrap up a “baseball-style” series — when two teams play consecutive games at the same venue with no travel in between — meaning the Magic will play the Raptors three times in eight days.
“The main focus is to get better as a group,” Franz Wagner said. “Every game is important for that but seeing a team so quickly with few games in between can definitely [help].”
Wendell Carter Jr. (strained right foot plantar fascia), Gary Harris (strained right hamstring), Jonathan Isaac (left knee injury recovery), Chuma Okeke (left knee soreness) and Jalen Suggs (right ankle soreness) sat Friday.
None of the injured players participated in the morning shootaround.
“They’re just running right now just working on getting their bodies moving a little bit more,” Mosley said. “Each guy’s got their different category of what they’re able to do. Wendell’s moving around a little bit. Gary’s jogging up and down, getting some shots up. JI, obviously, you know, has gone through the Lakeland practices. Chuma is also just getting on the floor doing a little bit of running up and down.
“Jalen’s still feeling a little bit of pain. He’s not on the court as of yet.”
