Field Level Media
30 Mar 2025, 05:33 GMT+10
(Photo credit: Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images)
Caleb Houstan's 6-of-7 3-point shooting off the bench en route to 18 points helped the Orlando Magic capitalize on a stifling defensive effort as they cruised psat the visiting Sacramento Kings 121-91 on Saturday.
Orlando (36-39), the NBA's top defense in points allowed coming into Saturday's matchup, delivered its 18th game holding an opponent to fewer than 100 points this season. The Magic limited the Kings to 42 percent shooting from the floor, including 7-of-28 from 3-point range.
The Orlando defense was especially effective against Zach LaVine, holding him to just 10 points on 3-of-8 shooting and forcing him into five turnovers.
The Magic came out aggressively from the start, not allowing the Kings (36-38) a made field goal until more than three minutes into the contest. By then, Orlando built a nine-point it never relinquished.
Jonathan Isaac helped cap the tone-setting first quarter with a steal of a Malik Monk pass -- one of six Monk turnovers in the game -- that led to a Goga Bitadze dunk in transition.
The sequence put an exclamation mark on Orlando's 38-21 first-quarter performance.
Bitadze recorded a double-double off the bench with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Houstan knocked down three triples before halftime to help the Magic take a 15-point lead into intermission.
Sacramento cut the deficit to 11 points early in the third quarter on a DeMar DeRozan 3-pointer, the last of his team-high 21-point effort. Orlando erupted in response, going on a 26-5 run from that point.
Franz Wagner scored 10 of his 21 points during the decisive burst. Behind Wagner, Houston and Paolo Banchero, who scored a game-high 24 points, the Magic recorded their fifth-highest scoring game of the season.
Domantas Sabonis finished with 14 points and 13 rebounds for Sacramento, which was playing the first of six straight road games.
--Field Level Media
Get a daily dose of Sports Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Sports Sun.
More Information(Photo credit: Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images) Caleb Houstan's 6-of-7 3-point shooting off the bench en route to 18 points helped the...
(Photo credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images) Kyle Schwarber homered for the second consecutive game, Jesus Luzardo pitched five solid...
(Photo credit: Dave Nelson-Imagn Images) Brenton Doyle had an RBI single in the third inning and Kyle Farmer added another in the...
(Photo credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images) Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez exited Saturday's game against the Kansas...
(Photo credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images) Bobby Witt Jr. smacked the tie-breaking double in the bottom of the seventh inning to help...
(Photo credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images) Matt McLain homered, doubled and scored twice and Christian Encarnacion-Strand blasted...
(Photo credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images) When it comes to the value of Major League Baseball teams, there are the New York Yankees,...
ESPN, Disney+, and Skydance Sports today announced the development of an upcoming ESPN Original Series on the Kansas City Chiefs. Produced...
On Wednesday, March 26, ESPN front office insider Mike Tannenbaum held a 2025 NFL Draft media call following the release of his latest...
In anticipation of the three-day 2025 NFL Draft kicking off one month from today (April 24), ESPN will amplify content across different...
Baltimore Ravens In conjunction with their 29th birthday today (Saturday, March 29), the Baltimore Ravens announced the beginning...
Simmons worked 42 years for Saints as head equipment manager and alumni/legends coordinator New Orleans Saints Below is a statement...