The Orlando Magic cleaned up some of their defensive lapses Thursday against the Phoenix Suns after allowing 22 3-pointers in Tuesday’s loss to the San Antonio Spurs.
But the improved defense from the Magic (28-42) and their resiliency to keep the game with the Suns (38-32) close weren’t enough, with Phoenix pulling out a 116-113 win over Orlando at Footprint Center.
The defeat was the Magic’s fifth loss in six games. The Suns ended their three-game losing streak with the victory.
Markelle Fultz led the Magic with 25 points (tying a season-high), 9 assists, 7 rebounds and 2 steals in 34 minutes. Four other Magic players scored in double figures.
Five Suns players scored in double figures, led by Devin Bookers’ 19 points, including 16 in the second half.
The Magic kept the game close but didn’t make the necessary plays down the stretch to take a late lead.
They turned the ball over 6 times in the fourth and weren’t precise with their late-game offense. Four of those 6 turnovers came in the last five minutes of the game.
Josh Okogie blocked Paolo Banchero’s 3-pointer with 3.1 seconds remaining to seal the 3-point win for Phoenix.
The Magic will play back-to-back games in Los Angeles against the Clippers Saturday afternoon and the Lakers Sunday evening.
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Khobi Price at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
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