Orlando Magic Nab Close Win Against Charlotte Hornets to Close Preseason
Orlando Magic guard Markelle Fultz goes to the net against the Charlotte Hornets in the Orlando Magic's final preseason game at Amway Center Saturday, December 19, 2020. Photo: Willie David/Florida National News.
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – The Orlando Magic came fast and hard at the Charlotte Hornets at Amway Center Saturday night as they closed out a brief preseason. The Magic started with four big guns plus one youngblood, while the Hornets had a starting five that some fans were displeased with, with some tweeting, “free Melo [LaMelo Ball]” and asking, “Why isn’t Bismack [Biyombo] starting?”
The Starting Lineup
The Orlando Magic starting five:
- Dwayne Bacon
- Aaron Gordon
- Nikola Vucevic
- Evan Fournier
- Markelle Fultz
The Charlotte Hornets were short two tonight due to injuries: Gordon Hayward missed tonight’s match with an avulsion fracture (right fifth metacarpal) and Grant Riller suffered a left knee injury.
First Half
Fortunately for Hornets fans, Melo and Biyombo did eventually grace the court late in the first quarter.
The Magic nabbed the lead and expanded it quickly with consistent three pointers and field goals, ending the first quarter leading 38-27. Orlando clocked 51.9 percent to the Charlotte’s 47.6 percent in field goals. Orlando shot three pointers at 54.5 percent to Charlotte’s 36.4 percent.
Orlando maintained its lead in the second half, heading into halftime with a 63-49 score. Terrance Ross scored the most for Orlando in the second quarter with nine points. He was 3 for 5 in field goals and three pointers.
Cody Zeller delivered the most points for Charlotte in the second half (nine), nailing two free throws and all three long shots (two field goals and a three-pointer).
Second Half
Orlando maintained a solid lead through the third quarter, heading into the fourth with a 94-78 score.
For the fans who demanded LaMelo Ball and Bismack Biyombo, Ball got four total points on the board for Charlotte while Biyombo netted a total of two by the end of the third quarter. The Hornets also maintained 100 percent from the free throw line in the first three quarters. Miles Bridges worked the rim on both sides of the court, with 13 rebounds and 10 points by the end of the third quarter.
Charlotte turned the tables in the fourth quarter. With less than nine minutes left in the game and the Magic leading 94-93, Charlotte’s Caleb Martin scored a three pointer to nab the lead. With 5:56 left in the game, Orlando tied game 101-101, and the tug of war continued, with Charlotte pulling away again, leading 115-111 with only 1:33 left in the game.
The Magic managed to squeeze through a one-point lead 118-117 with 13.9 seconds left. With 2.1 left, Cole Anthony went to the free throw line and nailed both free throws, making the score 122-117.
Alas, the Hornets’ three-point attempt missed, giving the Magic the final 122-117 win.
Orlando Magic head coach Steve Clifford was proud of his team’s performance–at least in the first three quarters–saying tonight was the team’s best defensive performance in the preseason.
“That was by far the best that we’ve played,” said Clifford postgame. “We’ve had five days of progress…I think our conditioning level is pretty good, and the guys are getting into a good rhythm.”
The Magic open the season next Wednesday, December 23, 2020, hosting the Miami Heat at Amway Center.