Magic Contain Edwards for surprise win vs. wolves

NBA Analytics NetworkDespite battling the Orlando Magic against Minnesota Timberwolves and knocking out five pla…

Despite battling the Orlando Magic against Minnesota Timberwolves and knocking out five players in this Friday night NBA game, Cole Anthony scored 20 points and Moritz Wagner added 19 as Orlando benched the Magic to a victory by led 127–120.

There was a brawl when Minnesota guard Austin Rivers and Magic center Mo Bamba got involved in an altercation in front of the Orlando bench late in the third quarter. Rivers threw punches at Bamba as he came off the bench in a fight that involved several others. In the first game, Rivers was pulled away from Bamba and grounded by Jalen Suggs as other players joined in.

“Obviously you want to have your teammate’s back and at the same time you have to be a professional,” said Wagner, who was ejected in December after a fight with the Detroit Pistons. “So that is a challenge for a young team like us. I think we did a good job this time compared to last time. So yeah, I don’t really know. It’s a weird dynamic. You don’t really want to be in those situations and it’s not really the best look. You want to be professional. At the same time, there is something in me that appreciates the team staying together like this.”

The Timberwolves were without forward Kyle Anderson during the game due to an injury, but Rivers, Jaden McDaniels and Taurean Prince were ejected. For Orlando, Bamba and Suggs were ejected.

NBA SCORES & NEWS: Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves & Orlando Magic Updates

The Magic bench scored 72 points, led by reserve big man Bol Bol, who had 14 points. It was a rare defensive performance from Orlando, who was aided by Suggs’ on-ball defense before being ejected.

“You have to keep playing,” said Magic coach Jamahl Mosley. “You have to win the game between the lines. It’s not about all the talking. Its about nothing. You have to make sure you play the right way, do the right thing, keep sharing the basketball and keep defending.”

Minnesota, which had won six of its eight games, got 29 points from D’Angelo Russell. A 19-point performance by Anthony Edwards was followed by 15 points from Rudy Gobert. The Timberwolves shot 46 percent from the floor, but what really lowered their prospects was recording 20 turnovers — resulting in 26 points less turnover for the Magic.

“I don’t think our approach was wrong,” Minnesota coach Chris Finch said. “I think our execution was soft. And we wanted it to be a little bit easier than it was. Knew it would be a physical game. We struggled to control the ball. So yeah, it felt like they were ready to play. They understood. When a minor setback hit, we really couldn’t stop it.”

NBA SCORES & NEWS: Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves & Orlando Magic Updates

Minnesota, namely Edwards, were challenged by the Magic’s youth and height, despite their 23rd place in defensive rating. Entering this game, he had scored at least 25 points in seven games in a row and more than 30 in five of them. Against the Timberwolves, he shot just 5 of 15 from the field and 1 for 7 from 3-point range.

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