Powell scores 22 in Portland debut as Blazers topple Magic
Newly acquired guard Norman Powell scored 22 points and hit five 3-pointers in his Portland debut, and C.J. Portland won for a second night in a row and improved to 14-6 this season in back-to-back sets of games. Orlando rookie Chuma Okeke scored a career-best 22 points by making 9 of 15 shots and 4 of 6 3-pointers. Coincidentally, his father, Gary Trent, was also dealt from Portland to Toronto halfway through his third NBA season in 1998. Magic: Guard Michael Carter-Williams (illness) was scratched from the starting lineup, but entered the midway through the first period, while Terrence Ross (sore knee) missed his sixth straight game.
Evan Fournier hits winner, Magic beat Suns 112-111
Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier shoots as he gets past Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne (15) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)ORLANDO, Fla. – Evan Fournier scored the last of his 21 points on a driving layup over Phoenix center Deandre Ayton with 6.4 seconds left and the Orlando Magic beat the Suns 112-111 on Wednesday night. AdChris Paul scored eight of his 23 points in the fourth quarter for the Suns. Booker finished with 25 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Ad“As of right now, I’m an Orlando Magic,” Gordon said. … Down as much as 13 in the early going, the Magic took its first lead at 47-46 on a Vucevic 3-pointer.
Spurs dominate second half to beat short-handed Magic
SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio played its first home game with fans and welcomed back four players who sat almost a month due to COVID-19 protocols. San Antonio held an opponent under 80 points for the first time since beating Golden State 89-75 on March 19, 2018. While that quartet returned fully, San Antonio was without veterans DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge. San Antonio is attempting to trade Aldridge after agreeing to part ways with the veteran forward after his role was lessened. … San Antonio is 16-2 when leading by 10 points at any time in the game.
Mavs star Doncic sits out against Thunder with back issue
Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic walks off the court following the team's NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Dallas, Wednesday, March 3, 2021. It was the sixth game of the season of at least 30 points for Doncic, who turned 22 on Sunday. The second missed game of the season for Doncic was Dallas' last before the All-Star Game on Sunday in Atlanta. Carlisle said Doncic has been battling a back issue recently and has worn a heat massage belt in two recent practices. Ad“It's something he needs to take a game,” Carlisle said.
Vucevic has triple-double, Magic rally to beat Warriors
ORLANDO, Fla. – Nikola Vucevic had 30 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists for his third career triple-double and the Orlando Magic overcame a 13-point, fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Golden State Warriors 124-120 on Friday night. However, Orlando outscored the Warriors 31-14 the rest of the way by getting three 3-pointers from rookie forward Chuma Okeke and a strong closing kick from Vucevic. Vucevic made two free throws with 16 seconds left to put Orlando ahead 123-120 after Warriors star Stephen Curry hit back-to-back 3-pointers in the final minute. He notched his 12th straight game with at least 25 points despite making just 11 of 29 shots and only 6 of 16 3-pointers. … Vucevic had the highlight of the night when he drove hard to the rim and dunked with authority over Green.
VanVleet sets Raptors mark with 54 in 123-108 win at Orlando
Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet, left, drives around Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony (50) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)ORLANDO, Fla. – Fred VanVleet set a franchise record with 54 points and hit a career-best 11 3-pointers as the Toronto Raptors beat the short-handed Orlando Magic 123-108 on Tuesday night. AdNorman Powell had 23 points for Toronto, and Kyle Lowry posted a triple-double with 14 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Orlando, which has lost 12 of 14, tried almost every guard on its roster against the 6-foot-1 VanVleet with little to no success. AdMagic: Orlando was without Gordon, who severely sprained his left ankle later in Sunday’s game against Toronto. Magic: Orlando hosts Chicago on Friday and Saturday in a two-game set.
Rested Kings get 29 points from Hield, defeat Magic 121-107
Hield scored a season-best 29 points by making 10 of 17 shots and 7 of 12 3-pointers as the well-rested Kings beat the Magic 121-107. “I thought it was his most consistent game this year, for sure, and maybe since I’ve been (with the Kings),” Walton said. The Kings proved themselves to be rested and ready in taking apart the Magic for their second road victory of the season. His 29 points points topped the 26 he had on Jan. 13 in Portland — a game where he made eight 3s. Rookie guard Cole Anthony, who scored a career-best 21 points in Monday’s defeat of Charlotte, made just 2 of 9 shots and scored seven points on Wednesday.
Magic forward Chuma Okeke to miss several weeks due to bone bruise, report says
All rights reserved)Orlando Magic forward Chuma Okeke (3) goes up for a shot during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat, Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando Magic forward Chuma Okeke will miss several weeks of games due to a bone bruise on his left knee, according to ESPN reporter Adrian Wojnarowski. Okeke had an ACL tear on the same knee when he was a forward with the Auburn Tigers. The Magic forward did not play during the 2019-20 season due to this injury. [TRENDING: UK COVID-19 variant found in Florida | Florida reports 16,000 new COVID-19 cases on NYE | How to register for vaccine in Florida]Despite the injury, the Magic still selected him with the No. In five games this year Okeke was averaging 18 minutes a game, 3 points a game, and 2.6 rebounds a game.