Orlando has carried out it once more this season, as they’ve simply produced one other spectacular comeback this weekend whereas being down by 21 factors within the third quarter. With six minutes left to the ultimate buzzer, the Magic nonetheless had a 15-point deficit to beat, and at last closed the match on a 22-4 run to defeat the Nets 102-101 on Sunday.
Not solely was this the franchise’s second victory after trailing by at the very least 21 factors in a span of every week, however now they’ve additionally proved they’ve championship-winning mentally regardless of having most of their star gamers injured.
Based on Cole Anthony, who dropped in his squad’s last-winning factors of the night, the staff power of their locker room is solely unmatched. “We don’t stop,” the Magic guard mentioned after the matchup.
COLE ANTHONY GAME WINNER 🚨
MAGIC CLOSE ON A 22-4 RUN 🤯 pic.twitter.com/FTJlmVCLJc
— NBA (@NBA) December 29, 2024
With 1.3 seconds left, Anthony’s layup buried Brooklyn’s needs of successful the sport. Not solely are they taking part in with out Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Moritz Wagner, however additionally they misplaced level guard Jalen Suggs within the first half to a sprained wrist.
“It speaks a lot to the resiliency of our guys, the grit of our guys, the preparation of the teaching workers maintaining guys that haven’t performed able to go, understanding that they’ll mild a spark at any second,” staff coach Jamahl Mosley mentioned postgame. “That’s what you noticed tonight.”
Regardless of having an injury-plagued roster, Orlando simply maintain successful. Nevertheless, a lot of the credit score ought to go to their protection, because the Nets went 0-for-8 from the sphere within the last 7:14, whereas the Florida membership shot 8-for-14 in that very same time span.
“It says that we’re sufficient, and we now have sufficient, regardless of who’s on the ground,” Mosley added. “We all know how we’re going to defend. We all know how we’re going to speak. We all know how we’re going to maintain combating. So, whenever you step on the ground and also you play for the Orlando Magic, that is the way you’re going to play.”
Cole’s successful bucket got here on a troublesome play, as they Magic coach had initially drawn up a play for Tristan da Silva, who led the squad offensively with 21 factors to his identify. Nevertheless, Anthony determined to take the duty on his personal. “I ain’t gonna lie,” he confessed. “The play was for Tristan.”
