Magic's Win Streak Snapped in Uncharacteristic Loss to Clippers

With their usually reliable defense and Franz Wagner unable to save them, the Orlando Magic lost 104-93 at the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, snapping a six-game winning streak. Now 9-7, the Magic play the Lakers on Thursday night.

Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) is defended by Orlando Magic guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (3) in the first half at Intuit Dome. / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

This year's Orlando Magic have a few redeeming qualities that they can rely on most nights.

A top-five defense can wear out opponents and help the Magic endure their shooting lulls. They crash the glass and limit opponents to one shot.

Those characteristics, plus a lot of Franz Wagner, defined the Magic's six-game winning streak. Minus those advantages Wednesday night, the Magic fell 104-93 to the Los Angeles Clippers, dropping Orlando to 9-7 overall and 1-1 on this road trip.

On paper, this was a meeting of similar styles. Two of the NBA's bottom-third offenses were tasked with scoring against their opponent's top-10 defense. Turnovers were an issue on both sides, but the Clippers made shots and the Magic didn't.

Despite their 25 turnovers, LA shot 49.4 percent from the field and made 11-of-22 three-pointers. The Magic made 44.0 percent of their shots from the field — their season average — but converted only eight of 35 three-point attempts. After 16 games, they are the worst 3-point shooters in the NBA.

The two squads also entered the night Nos. 1 and 2 in the NBA for fewest opponent offensive rebounds. The Clippers overwhelmed the Magic on the boards, securing 15 offensive rebounds and scoring 17 second-chance points, losing the overall rebound tally 56-34.

Orlando often notes the importance of the possession game. Giving up offensive rebounds and committing turnovers is a quick way to lose that, and LA made the Magic pay Wednesday night.

"We talked about understanding what the gameplan was: rebound the basketball, crash the offensive glass, take out the three – you give yourself an opportunity," coach Jamahl Mosley said. "We didn't do all of those things tonight, and this is why the outcome is what it was."

"I think we lost this game tonight all internally," guard Jalen Suggs said. "The best thing about that is it gives you things to fix. Amidst a six-game winning streak where vibes are high, things are going really well, it's a bit grounding understanding that you still have things to work on [and] you've still got to come out with that intensity. This league is too good to come out and hope a team will roll over.

"We'll bounce back, but a great growth moment for us tonight," Suggs continued. "An eye-opening one."

Anthony Black scored 17 points and added eight assists, but he also committed six turnovers. Franz Wagner had 14 points, ending a streak of eight games with 20 or more points. With the Clippers' Kris Dunn hounding him for most of the night, Wagner attempted 11 shots – fewer than half his average in the previous five games.

Up Next

The Magic's road trip concludes Thursday with the second night of their LA back-to-back against the Lakers. Tipoff is 10:30 p.m. ET inside Crypto.com Arena.

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