The Orlando Magic's new-found success has even translated to the road, as their six-game winning streak now faces a significant test against the host Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday at Inglewood, Calif. After five straight home victories, the Magic hit the road Monday and earned a 109-99 victory over the Phoenix Suns when Franz Wagner matched a season high with 32 points and Anthony Black added 20. The duo combined for 17 assists.
After losing all five games of a road trip that started the day before Halloween, Orlando is no longer haunted by that abysmal slide, even as star Paolo Banchero continues to miss time with an oblique injury. The Magic have leaned into their defense, with all six victories in the winning streak coming as their opponent was held under 100 points. "That's kind of our team identity, and that's what we start with first in the locker room is defense," Black said.
"The guards have been pressuring the ball a lot, and the bigs and wings have been doing a good job in the paint helping us protect the rim and just helping clean up our mistakes." The success is drawing attention with Wagner named the most recent Eastern Conference Player of the Week. The fourth-year player is averaging a career-best 22.
9 points on the season and 29.0 points with 6.0 rebounds and 6.
3 assists during the winning streak. Wednesday's game is Orlando's first of a back-to-back in the Los Angeles area, with a matchup Thursday against the Lakers before a home date against the Detroit .