Field Level Media
Feb 14, 2019
Nikola Vucevic had 17 points and 11 rebounds for his 41st double-double of the season, and the red-hot Orlando Magic earned their fifth straight victory by defeating the visiting Charlotte Hornets 127-89 on Thursday.
The Magic snapped a 13-game losing streak to the Hornets that dated to the 2015-16 season. They were in control throughout, racing to a 15-point lead after one quarter and leading by 35 at halftime. Their biggest lead in the second half was 40.
The Magic entered the game in 10th place in the Eastern Conference standings, but they are just one-half game out of eighth place. They were coming off a 30-point blowout win at New Orleans on Tuesday and have won seven of their last eight.
The Hornets entered the game seventh in the Eastern Conference. They have lost four of their last five.
Terrence Ross led the Magic with 21 points. Jonathan Isaac scored 16, Evan Fournier 12, Wes Iwundu 11 and Aaron Gordon 10.
Malik Monk led the Hornets with 15 points. Jeremy Lamb scored 14, Cody Zeller 13 and Kemba Walker 10.
Walker had a streak of five straight games with at least 30 points snapped. He suffered through 4-of-20 shooting from the field and missed all seven of his 3-point attempts.
The Magic led 33-18 after one quarter and continued to build the lead in the second behind the shooting of Ross and Isaac. Ross had 14 points at halftime, Isaac 13. The lead was 71-36 at intermission.
The Hornets were 0-of-16 shooting from 3-point range at halftime, and shot just 26.4 percent from the field in the first half. That's after they were 7-of-40 shooting from 3-point range in a loss at Indiana on Monday.
The Magic led 98-67 after three quarters.
Both teams now have an eight-day break for the All-Star Game. Walker will represent the Hornets in the All-Star Game and in the 3-point contest, and teammate Miles Bridges will participate in the dunk contest. Vucevic will represent the Magic in the All-Star Game.
--Field Level Media