Booker scored 44 points today, plus 4 rebounds and 3 assists! Durant had a mediocre performance with just 15 points and seven rebounds, as well as turnovers. Banchero contributed 26 points, four rebounds and seven assists. Overall, the Magic managed to beat the Suns!In the NBA regular season on January 29, the Suns lost 98-113 to the Magic away. While the Suns have been on a hot streak lately, the loss to the Pacers last time out ended their seven-game winning streak and exposed some problems. First, there's the obvious defensive problem, which is nothing short of an ornament, and it's no exaggeration to say that the Suns' defense is as bad as it gets. Secondly, the team's tactical coordination is almost zero, with the Big Three holding the ball and relying too much on individual ability, while the substitutes have little to contribute and it is difficult to show effective team basketball.
In contrast, the Magic's form is also quite average, with two consecutive losses making it difficult for them to regain the winning feeling, and it is always easy to go wrong when it matters most. The last game against the Grizzlies was unexpectedly unwinnable, and halfway through the season, the Magic's performance was indeed disappointing, far from the nickname of the dark horse in the East. The two teams have diametrically opposite styles, with the Suns being strong on offense and weak on defense, while the Magic are defending more than attacking. Considering that Nurkic is out due to injury on the Suns' side and the Magic's forward players are tall, it will be difficult for the Suns to win.
Without further ado, let's take a look at the starting lineups of both sides.
Suns: Grayson Allen, Durant, Eubanks, Beal, Booker.
Magic: Wagner Jr., Banchero, Carter, Suggs, Fultz.
After the game began, the Suns quickly got into the groove, and Beal scored consecutive outside shots to give the Suns a 10-4 lead at the beginning. However, the Magic showed no signs of weakness, and Fultz easily made a breakthrough and scored on the inside of the Suns. The Suns' defense is simply too ornamental, the motivation is simply too poor, and the opponent's offense is hardly difficult.
The Suns went all out for the rest of the game, with Booker making an eye-catching layup on the inside, and after a few offensive rounds, the score stretched straight to double digits.
Despite the Suns' holes on the defensive end, the Magic have never been able to find an effective breakthrough in the face of their opponents' strong firepower output. At the end of the first quarter, the Suns led the Magic 37-26.
As the game entered the second quarter, the Suns continued to maintain their offensive momentum, and Durant's mid-range shot extended the Suns' lead to 13 points.
Then the Suns made consecutive turnovers, and the Magic seized the opportunity, through Suggs's high-toss pass, Carter completed a two-handed air dunk under Durant's interference, and a wave of 19-11 offense allowed the Magic to chase the difference to 5 points.
The Suns quickly adjusted, and Booker scored on a difficult layup to become the team's mainstay, scoring 19 points on 8-of-11 shooting.
At the end of the first half, the Suns led the Magic 56-51, and the game was intense and interesting.
At the start of the second half, the Suns remained strong, and Allen and Booker's excellent play once again helped the team widen the difference.
However, the stellar performances of Big Wagner and Ingles kept the Magic still chasing points, and Booker's heroic play later in the quarter helped the Suns maintain the lead, and the Suns led the Magic by three points at 85-82 at the end of the third quarter.
In the final quarter of the game, the situation changed dramatically, and Anthony and the Wagner brothers played a hot performance to help the Magic achieve a comeback.
And Durant's excellent play kept the Suns alive with a glimmer of hope. At critical moments, the Suns made frequent mistakes, and the Magic seized the opportunity again, and the efforts of Banchero and Isaac in the latter part of the quarter helped the Magic finally open up the point difference and end the suspense of the game.
The game was over, and the Magic came back to the Suns 113-98 to take the win.