Beede’s Breakdown: Magic end trip with loss at Bulls

6 days ago 2

Before the Magic took to the court against the Bulls inside United Center on Friday night, Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley said he wanted his team to rely on defense to force stops and try to limit Chicago’s up-tempo offense.

Orlando failed to do that as the Bulls dictated the pace throughout most of the night, scored 91 points through the first three quarters and had six different scorers end in double-digits.

In a contest that was tied eight times and featured 19 lead changes, the Bulls took control in the fourth quarter en route to a 121-114 victory.

Although Paolo Banchero posted 31 points on a night the team shot 44% from 3-point range, the Bulls outscored the Magic 54-44 in the paint and added 15 points off 11 takeaways.

Chicago (17-17) was without guards Josh Giddey (left hamstring strain) and Coby White (right calf tightness) but outscored Orlando 30-19 in the fourth quarter while forward Matas Buzelis led the way with 21 points.

After going 1-2 on their three-game trip, the Magic (19-16) return home when they host the Pacers in a Sunday matinee at Kia Center.

Banchero’s impact

The Magic forward scored the team’s first nine points and posted 11 total in the opening quarter as he got off to an efficient start.

After hitting his first three shots from the floor, he went 2 for 7 to shoot 5 for 11 in the first half, scoring only two more points before the break. Banchero responded with 12 points in the third quarter when he continued to attack the basket, find his spots on the floor and distribute the ball.

Scoring 30-plus points for the second time this season, he added six rebounds, six assists, two steals and a block but turned the ball over three times.

Suggs update

Jalen Suggs posted 11 points in 20 minutes during his second game back from a left hip bruise that forced him to miss seven contests, but he limped off the court late in the third quarter Friday.

After he was fouled on a drive to the basket with 1:06 left in the frame, Suggs was in clear pain grabbing at his right knee. The Magic guard was able to get up and make his pair of free throws but continued to move slowly after that sequence and went to the bench.

About five minutes into the fourth, the Magic said Suggs was questionable to return with a right knee strain but he didn’t make his way back to the court.

Free points

After missing five free throws in a 2-point win at Indiana two days earlier, the Magic continued to struggle at the free throw line against the Bulls.

In a seven-point loss, Orlando missed seven free throws as the team 14 for 21 at the charity stripe.

Meanwhile, Chicago shot 17 for 19 at the line.