Magic SF Franz Wagner Praises Bench After Win vs. Knicks: 'They've Been Huge All Year!'
ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic are back on top after a 118-100 win against the New York Knicks on Wednesday night inside the Kia Center.
While Paolo Banchero led all scorers with 36 points, it was the Magic bench that got Orlando back into the game after a difficult first quarter. Franz Wagner starts for the Magic, but usually is the first one to come out of the game in order for him to get some run with the bench unit, whom he praised following Wednesday's win.
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“Our second line-up has done that all year," Wagner said. "I think it starts defensively with the rest of the team. I think they got stops, got out and [ran], got some easy ones, and just got a rhythm. Yeah, they’ve been huge all year.”
Wagner led the Magic with a +25 in the plus/minus category, while his brother Moe was a +24 in just 13 minutes. A 17-3 run to start the second quarter gave the Magic the lead for good in their win against the Knicks.
Their performance last night reflects how they have one of the best bench units in the NBA. They rank fourth in scoring off the bench with 41.5 points per game. Only the Indiana Pacers, Utah Jazz and Golden State Warriors score more points from players that don't start the game.
If the Magic want to return to the playoffs and make some noise, their bench has to continue the strong play they displayed in the first half of the season.
