Magic Stun Clippers in OT, Snap Long Losing Streak

The Los Angeles Clippers blew an 18-point lead in a loss to the Orlando Magic Wednesday night.

Jeremy Brener | Dec 7, 2022

Magic Stun Clippers in OT, Snap Long Losing Streak /

ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic (6-20) is returning to the win column after a 116-111 win over the Los Angeles Clippers (14-12) at Amway Center Wednesday night.

It was a tight finish, but it didn't seem like it would be during the first quarter. The Clippers started the game on a 23-6 run and led by 18 after the first quarter.

However, the Magic began to chip away. After a hard-fought second quarter in which the team allowed just 17 points to the Clippers, the Magic cut the 18-point deficit in half by the end of the second quarter.

But the Clippers began to clean up their act at the start of the second half and the Los Angeles starters outplayed Orlando's.

The Magic bench brought a ton of energy, spearheading a 25-5 run to take a lead in the early fourth quarter. The Clippers countered and re-took the lead, allowing the game to come down to the final possessions.

When the game was tied at 99 with 33 seconds to go, Kawhi Leonard took Paolo Banchero 1-on-1 for his signature fadeaway, but a miss gave the Magic a chance to win. Markelle Fultz responded with an iso possession, but he couldn't take the lead either. Paul George had a chance to win with a three, but that couldn't find the bottom of the basket.

In overtime, the Clippers opted to rest George and Leonard, but the Magic took advantage. The game was tied at 108 with 1:22 to go when Leonard re-entered the game. Bol Bol's putback layup put the Magic ahead, but Nicolas Batum responded with a go-ahead three on the other end. After both teams missed on their next possession, Banchero drove to the rack and got fouled. He knocked down both free throws for two of his game-high 23 points to put the Magic back in front.

The Clippers had a chance to win with seven seconds to go, but could not inbound the ball in time, their 16th turnover of the game. The Magic took care of business from there.

With the win, the Magic snapped a nine-game losing streak and grabbed its first win since Nov. 18 when Jalen Suggs hit a game-winner against the Chicago Bulls on the road.

The Magic is back in action Friday when the Toronto Raptors come to town. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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Published Dec 7, 2022

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.