Last-Place Jazz Sweep Season Series over Magic with Lopsided Victory

The Utah Jazz may have only 11 wins this year, but two have come against the Orlando Magic — each by double figures. Paolo Banchero's 4-of-19 shooting epitomized the offensive struggles for the Magic, who have lost 10 of their past 12 games.

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) drives to the basket against Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) and forward John Collins (20) during the first quarter at Delta Center. / Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images

As February arrived, the Orlando Magic were hopeful to turn the page on a dismal January and start anew.

The Magic had lost 11 of 15 games to start the year — eight times by double figures — and in their own words were "punked" by the Portland Trail Blazers to begin a five-city Western swing. The second stop Saturday in Salt Lake City brought no relief.

Orlando again was non-competitive in a 113-99 loss to the Utah Jazz.

Last-place Utah led by as many as 21 points en route to an 11th win this season — the second-lowest total in the NBA. Two of those precious victories, however, have come against Orlando.

The Magic, now 24-26 overall, have lost eight of nine games and 10 of their last 12. Orlando holds eighth place in the East.

The league's lowest-scoring offense shot 30-of-91 from the field (33.0 percent, lowest this season) and 9-of-41 from three (22.0 percent.)

"We talk about it being a make-or-miss league," Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said. "That's what I saw without looking at the film. You go 9-of-41 [from three], it's tough. A lot of them are great open looks ... It can't derail your defense and you've got to continue to step in and attack."

"As a unit, we didn't shoot it [well]," Cole Anthony said. "What'd we shoot? 33 percent? From the field, not even from three. It's hard to win a game like that. Unless we're at that same time holding the other team to that same number or something less.

"We gotta fix it," Anthony continued. "I mean, I think it's gonna happen at some point. It's just in our control when we can rectify and change that."

Franz Wagner was not exempt from the poor shooting (8-of-21 field goals), but he finished one point shy of a career-high with 37 by making 18 of 20 free throws. He is the sixth player in franchise history to attempt at least 20 free throws in a game.

"Just [tried] to be aggressive, get to the paint," Wagner said. "I think they made a point to not let me get a clean shot, so I went to the free throw line a bunch of times."

Yet, the Magic's other four starters — Paolo Banchero, Anthony Black, Goga Bitadze and Tristan da Silva — combined for only 25 points. Reserve guard Cole Anthony, with 23 points, was the only player to join Wagner in double figures.

Banchero's struggles were especially pronounced. The 2024 All-Star was 4-of-19 from the field, leaving many of his shots short as he finished with nine points.

"Offensively I think we tried to do a lot of good stuff, [but] shots didn't fall," Wagner said. "Defensively, I think we can play way better."

On the other side, Jazz guard Collin Sexton's 22 points led a group of six Utah double-figure scorers. Utah was 13 percentage points better from the floor and made 14 of their 35 threes.

Saturday's starting lineup was the 20th different first five that Orlando has used this season. Jalen Suggs missed a third straight game because of a left quad contusion and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was rested.

The decision to rest Caldwell-Pope stemmed from the veteran guard's knees bothering him a bit, Mosley said. With three games in four days upcoming, Orlando wants to ensure they keep KCP fresh in the long run.

Regarding Suggs, Mosley said he believes the fourth-year guard is making progress after being downgraded from questionable to out as he spars with a left quad contusion.

"Tomorrow, we'll look at it, get some court time, and see where he is," Mosley said.

Up Next

The Magic's road trip continues Monday against the Golden State Warriors. Tipoff from the Chase Center is 10 p.m. ET.

Related Stories on the Orlando Magic

• MAGIC SEARCHING IN MIRROR FOR IDENTITY: After getting "punked" Thursday night in Utah, Orlando is looking to be the aggressor again. CLICK HERE
• BLACK NAMED TO RISING STARS: The second-year guard joins teammates Tristan da Silva and Mac McClung in the competition. CLICK HERE
• MAGIC AIM TO RECTIFY LATE-GAME WOES: Orlando is struggling to close games as of late, they said Wednesday. Out west, they want to change that. CLICK HERE
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