Balanced Thunder cruise past cold-shooting Magic, 102-86

Jason Beede, Orlando Sentinel on Nov 4, 2024

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OKLAHOMA CITY — It was already going to be an uphill battle for the Magic against the undefeated Thunder (7-0) on the second night of a back-to-back without Paolo Banchero (torn right abdominal muscle) at Paycom Center on Monday night.

Oklahoma City entered the contest winning their first six games of the season by an average of 17.7 points, with no result closer than 12.

But Orlando did itself no favors on the offensive end of the floor and could do nothing but watch when Oklahoma City’s Jalen Williams (23 points), MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (21) and center Chet Holmgren (14) combined for 58 in the 102-86 home victory.

Despite Franz Wagner’s team-high 22 points, the Magic trailed all night and by as many as 26 in their fourth straight loss.

Orlando (3-5) wraps up its five-game road trip Wednesday at the Pacers.

Starting 5

The Magic were without Wendell Carter Jr. (left foot plantar fascia strain) after the starting center missed the second half of Sunday’s game at Dallas.

Coach Jamahl Mosley inserted Goga Bitadze into the starting lineup when the reserve big man was made available following a four-game absence due to a left foot tendon strain.

Bitadze joined Jalen Suggs (11 points), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Wagner and rookie Tristan da Silva, who made his second career start after getting the nod against the Mavericks.

Wagner, who appeared fresher after overcoming an illness, consistently attacked the paint while leaning on his craftiness to avoid defenders. That led to more chances at the free-throw line, where he shot 5 of 6 as part of a larger Orlando effort there (23 of 27).

Da Silva continued to look comfortable on the court and had success cutting to the basket. The rookie, however, was inefficient from the field (4 of 12) to total nine points.

In his first game back, Bitadze filled up the stat sheet with 11 points, nine rebounds and four assists. He provided needed size around the rim, too, on both ends.

Caldwell-Pope continued to lack offensive fire power (6 points on 1-of-7 shooting) but focused more on the defensive end where he grabbed four steals.

Second unit

Usually a strength of Orlando’s, its bench was a weak spot against the Thunder.

The first five on the floor included Moe Wagner, Jett Howard, Anthony Black and Jonathan Isaac, but Mosley tried to keep one of Franz Wagner or Suggs on the floor throughout the first three quarters.

Black helped defend Gilgeous-Alexander at times but failed to convert from 3-point range (0 of 5).

It was Moe Wagner who led the reserves with nine points and seven rebounds.

Oklahoma City’s bench outscored Orlando’s 34-19 by the end of the night.

Difference from distance

After shooting 8 of 41 from 3-point range Sunday night at Dallas, the Magic continued to have little to no luck from beyond the arc against the Thunder.

The shooting woes continued when Orlando shot 1 of 17 (5.9%) from distance in the first half before ending 5 of 34 (14.7%).

And where the Magic couldn’t hit from 3, the Thunder were much more accurate. Oklahoma City shot above their season average (34.3%) when it finished 38.7% against Orlando.