The Lead
Markelle Fultz racked up a career-best 28 points, Wendell Carter Jr. recorded his 19th double-double of the season with 27 points and 12 rebounds, and Franz Wagner scored 20, as the Orlando Magic made seven of their final eight floor shots to pull off a 113-108 comeback victory over the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday afternoon.
Clutch Moments
Fultz knocked down four of those seven floor shots in the final 4 ½ minutes, including a driving layup with 29 seconds remaining that put Orlando up five. On the Magic prior’s possession, Franz Wagner drilled a step-back 3-pointer over Robert Covington. The other two Orlando field goals during this stretch were made by Carter – a 3-pointer and an alley-oop layup delivered to him from Fultz. The Magic outscored the Clippers 39-26 in the fourth quarter.
Key Stats
Three-point defense was a big emphasis coming into the game for the Magic, and they delivered in that regard, as the Clippers knocked down just six of their 22 3-point tries (27.3 percent). Orlando also accumulated a season-high 14 steals and scored 23 points off L.A.’s 15 turnovers.
Interesting Note
The Magic have now beaten the Clippers twice, the Warriors twice and the Celtics three times, and they notched victories over the Nuggets, 76ers, Suns, Mavericks, and Heat as well.
Injury/Inactive Report
Jalen Suggs (concussion) and Jonathan Isaac (left adductor surgery) were out for the Magic. Kawhi Leonard (right knee injury management), Norman Powell (shoulder) and Brandon Boston Jr. (tailbone) were unavailable for the Clippers.
Quote of the Day
“I think Markelle is a great leader out there. I think he is one of the more vocal guys, pushes the mentality of the group, and he’s just a super great two-way player. Some of those plays that he makes defensively, some of the stuff that doesn’t show up in the stat sheet, and then on nights like (against the Suns), the way he’s scoring, making plays, rebounding, making all those hustle plays – I think it’s really hard finding players that make skill plays, but also make those hard, effort kind of plays as well.” – Franz Wagner on Fultz
This Day in History
One of Shaquille O’Neal’s most dominant performances of the 1993-94 season came on March 18 when he racked up 38 points, 15 rebounds, three assists, four steals and three blocks in a Magic victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Dennis Scott, who will be inducted into the Magic Hall of Fame next week, scored 28 points. Hot Rod Williams led the Cavs with 21 points.
Rivals Report
Normally, you don’t have to look too far down the standings to figure out who has a legit chance to make the Finals. But in the West this year, that’s not the case. One could argue that there are seven or eight teams in the conference that could go on a deep playoff run. The Clippers are certainly one of them if Leonard and Paul George play at peak form in the postseason.
Up Next
The Magic complete their four-game trip out West on Sunday at 9 p.m. ET when they clash with the Los Angeles Lakers. L.A. won the first meeting at Amway Center on Dec. 27 behind 28 points from LeBron James and a 15-point, 13-rebound and 13-assist triple-double from Russell Westbrook, now a member of the Clippers after getting traded to and waived by the Jazz last month at the deadline. Fultz led Orlando with 16 points.
