Banchero, Magic win as Hornets struggle from foul line

Sun, Feb 5, 2023
Other News (AP)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Paolo Banchero had 22 points and 10 rebounds, Wendell Carter Jr. added 20 points and 12 rebounds and the Orlando Magic took advantage of Charlotte's poor foul shooting to beat the Hornets 119-113 Sunday.

The Hornets made just one of nine free throws in the fourth quarter while Orlando was going 13 of 15. Charlotte finished 11 of 23 from the line in its fourth straight loss - Orlando wound up 27 of 30 on foul shots.

Markelle Fultz had 16 points and Frank Wagner chipped in with 14 for the Magic, who improved to 9-19 on the road. Orlando has won three of its last four overall.

The Magic overcame a terrific second half by LaMelo Ball, who had 26 of his 33 points after the break and finished with six 3-pointers. Terry Rozier had 24 points for the Hornets.

Charlotte trailed by five after three quarters, but Ball knocked down back-to-back 3s in the first 33 seconds of the fourth period for a 91-90 lead.

The Hornets' momentum didn't last long as the Magic built a 110-103 lead behind Fultz, who scored on short jumpers and finished 8 of 13 from the field.

Mason Plumlee missed a layup and four straight free throws during that span as the Magic began to pull away.

Wagner helped seal the win with a step-through in the lane for a layup to put the Magic up 115-107 with 35 seconds left.

Orlando outrebounded Charlotte 52-39.

TIP-INS

Magic: Mo Bamba and Jalen Suggs sat out following their suspensions from an altercation with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Bamba began serving a four-game suspension, while Suggs served his one-game suspension. ... Finished road trip 3-1.

Hornets: Ball has now made a 3-pointer in 43 straight games. ... Dennis Smith Jr. had 14 points off the bench, but Charlotte's bench was outscored 39-28.

UP NEXT

Magic: Host Knicks on Tuesday night.

Hornets: Visit Washington on Wednesday night.

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