Strong performances by the Wagner brothers ensured a surprise win for the Orlando Magic over the Dallas Mavericks. Chris Paul and the Phoenix Suns are unstoppable. The NBA on Monday morning.
Hard pressed: Franz Wagner scores to win over the Dallas Mavericks.
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In a true thriller, the Orlando Magic have secured another not-so-anticipated victory. In the 110:108 over the Dallas Mavericks around Luka Doncic, the NBA basement child achieved the eleventh win of the season in the 51st game – and Franz and Moritz Wagner really didn’t play a supporting role in the whole thing.
Top rookie Franz collected 18 points and, in the final minute, converted a demanding lay-up under hard pressure while falling backwards to take the 109:108 lead, to which Dallas ultimately was no longer able to react. Moritz Wagner scored 14 points in 15 minutes. The best shooter of the acting Magic was Chuma Okeke (19). Franz Wagner’s conclusion after the win was: “If everyone touches the ball and we share it and play for each other, then we are very difficult to defend.”
Doncic already at 43 triple-doubles
With the guests from Texas, superstar Doncic increased to 43 triple-doubles in his career (34 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists), in the last few moves of the game he doubled from the home side but then didn’t take the throw for a possible win, but found Maxi Kleber (six points), whose three from the corner, however, did not find its way through the ring. The Mavs ultimately slipped to 29:22, while Orlando (11:40) remains sole bottom in the Eastern Conference after only their fifth home win this season because the Detroit Pistons (12:37, 115:105 over Cleveland) also won .
Isiah Hartenstein scored seven points in the 115:90 of his Los Angeles Clippers against the Charlotte Hornets, and the German center also collected six rebounds. With a record of 26 wins and 26 losses, the Clippers, still badly weakened by substitutes, moved a little closer to Dallas in seventh place in the west.
CP3 and the impressive numbers
The Phoenix Suns remain the undisputed leader and the best team in the league. The 115:110 at the San Antonio Spurs was their tenth win in a row and already their 40th success (9 losses) this season. Playmaker Chris Paul was once again formidable with 20 points, 19 assists and eight rebounds.
The Utah Jazz conceded their fifth loss in a row with a 106:126 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, champion Milwaukee Bucks a 100:136 at home against the Denver Nuggets.
