Opening statements
Magic show grit on road, but might find even more success with better starts
The victories from the Orlando Magic’s 3-1 road trip, which concluded with a 119-113 Sunday win over the Charlotte Hornets, played out similarly.
The Magic fell behind early, by at least double digits in every first quarter, before locking in defensively during the second and winning the third to set themselves up for victories.
This was how their Jan. 30 win over the Philadelphia 76ers, where they trailed by 21 in the second quarter, went. So did Friday’s victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Sunday’s win at Spectrum Center followed a similar formula.
The Magic were the league’s best second-quarter team during the road swing. Their net rating of 36.6 and defensive rating — points allowed per 100 possessions — of 90.5 during second quarters over that stretch were both the league’s best marks. They were also dominant in the third.
“Well, it says we have to get off to better starts,” coach Jamahl Mosley responded after Sunday’s game when asked about recovering from slow ones. “That’s one thing first. But [Sunday] was a little different in the way we started. They were hitting a ton of shots. Terry [Rozier] got going early, he had 21 in the first half, and our guys really took it to heart. He ends with 24, so they did a great job there. Just being able to take on the challenge to start the game the right way.”
The Magic (22-32) have displayed mental toughness throughout the season, leading to their 17-13 record in their last 30 games — when guards Cole Anthony and Markelle Fultz had their minutes restrictions
lifted since returning Nov. 30 — after starting 5-19.
But picking up wins — especially on the road — is even more encouraging.
The Magic have gone 8-8 on the road after starting 1-11.
Before this season, the Magic hadn’t had a winning road trip of at least three games since Dec. 26-29, 2020. They’ve gone 3-1 on two separate road trips (Dec. 16-21 and Jan. 30-Sunday) this season.
The Magic have picked up significant road wins against playoff contenders, including the league-leading Boston Celtics (twice), Golden State Warriors, 76ers and Timberwolves.
“It just shows our resilience,” big man Wendell Carter Jr. said. “It shows we can go out there and compete with some of the best teams in the league. This is something we can sit back and rejoice on and be happy about, but also understand we have to move on and got a home sweep we have to take care of business also.”
The Magic returned to Orlando on Sunday for a three-game homestand starting with Tuesday’s matchup vs. the New York Knicks.
They’ll also play the Denver Nuggets on Thursday and Miami Heat on Saturday at Amway Center.
The Magic will kick off their Black History Month celebrations Tuesday with HBCU Night — which will feature a pregame mixer and in-game activities. Bethune-Cookman University Marching Wildcats will be the halftime performance.
They’ll also have Black Business Spotlights at two games (Saturday and Feb. 23 vs. the Detroit Pistons), the Black Business Summit at Amway Center on Feb. 23 and a Black History Creative Contest that’s hosted alongside the Orlando Museum of Art that runs through Sunday.