Every game is magnified at this time of year for teams like the Orlando Magic, who are locked in a crowded playoff race with 24 games to play.
The Magic continue their postseason push on Sunday with a matchup against the visiting Washington Wizards, owners of the league’s worst record at 9-46.
Orlando holds the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference and is looking to bounce back after opening its seven-game homestand with a loss on Friday. The Magic led by as many as 19 before falling 105-104 to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Franz Wagner scored 25 points to lead Orlando, while Paolo Banchero added 21 and Cole Anthony had 17. The Magic led by nine with less than five minutes to play before Memphis rallied for the win.
“We’ve got to tighten up,” Anthony said. “We can’t be giving away games like that when we’re primed and prepped to win, and then we just start laying an egg and just having these mental lapses, whatever it is. We’re better than what we showed in the remainder of that game, but I’m hopeful. We’ll be alright.”
Wendell Carter Jr. recorded his eighth double-double of the season with 10 points and 11 rebounds against Memphis, but it wasn’t enough to keep Orlando from losing for the 14th time in its last 20 games.
Despite the loss, Wagner remained positive about the Magic’s prospects after the game.
“We’re not going to be perfect, but for the most part we played a pretty good game,” Wagner said. “We’ve got to continue to build on that. It’s going to turn for us if we keep doing that. In a one-point game, some luck is involved in these games always too. I think you have to earn that luck in these games. If we keep our focus and keep worrying about the right stuff, our luck is going to turn our way too.”
Luck has been hard to come by for Washington, which has lost five straight and 21 of its last 24 games.
The rebuilding Wizards turned in an encouraging effort in a 104-101 home loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday. Rookie Alex Sarr scored a career-high 22 points to lead the Wizards.
The game marked the return to Capital One Arena for Kyle Kuzma, who was traded to Milwaukee by the Wizards at last month’s trade deadline. Kuzma praised his former team for its recent moves after scoring 19 points in the win.
“This organization (Washington) has a bright future,” Kuzma said. “They have a plan that they’re trying to accomplish with the rebuild and growing and developing these players, and they’re doing a great job.”
The Wizards have lost their last seven meetings against Orlando, including a 121-94 road loss on Nov. 10.
Washington has made a concerted effort to stockpile draft picks and young players such as second-year guard AJ Johnson, who was part of the multi-player deal with Milwaukee.
Johnson has seen limited playing time in his first two seasons, but Bucks coach Doc Rivers raved about his potential before Friday’s game.
“I love him,” Rivers said. “You can ask (Washington), we took a minute because we were trying to hold onto him. I think he’s gonna be an incredible player. He’s an incredible kid, he works hard. He’s not far away. You’ll see him playing, and playing well, for sure.”
