Magic Defensive Identity Continues to Take Shape After Win vs. Raptors

The Orlando Magic prides itself on its defense, and it has been a big part of the team being where it is so far this season.

The Orlando Magic has surprised a lot of people this season, and one of the biggest factors has been the team's defense.

The team is top five in the league in points allowed, as it only allows 109 points per game. But the team has also been good at holding its opponents to under 100, and Magic All-Star Paolo Banchero talked more about it in his postgame interview after the team's last win against the Toronto Raptors.

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"I think it’s more important now than at any other point really," Banchero said. "Just to continue having the effort game in and game out on the defensive end and just making it tough on teams whenever they play us."

The Magic held the Raptors to 96 points in the win, and they only shot 44 percent from the field and 25 percent from three. This is the 19th time that the Magic has held its opponent to under 100 this season, and forward Franz Wagner thinks that is something that the team can hang its hat on.

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"I think that’s our identity and I think as the season goes on, there’s stuff always that you kind of figure out," Wagner said. "Communication that [is] getting easier and kind of more of a habit. I think you see that with our group a little bit and we have to make sure that we keep that going. Obviously, stay focused there towards the home stretch."

Banchero, Wagner, and the rest of the Magic will be back in action at home against LaMelo Ball and the Charlotte Hornets. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET from the Kia Center.