Magic Snap Skid in Style: Banchero, Black Lead Charge Past Heat in Miami
After four straight losses, the Orlando Magic came into Wednesday night’s game against the Miami Heat with a sense of urgency - and they played like it. Behind a monster third quarter and a trio of standout performances, the Magic took control in the second half and never looked back, grabbing a much-needed 133-124 win at Kaseya Center.
This one had all the makings of a back-and-forth battle early, with 11 lead changes and plenty of offensive fireworks. But it was the third quarter where Orlando flipped the script, outscoring Miami 40-20 to seize an 11-point lead heading into the fourth. From there, they held steady, closing out a win that could be a momentum-shifter as they head back home.
Let’s break down how they did it - and who stepped up.
Banchero Sets the Tone, Again
Paolo Banchero continues to look every bit the franchise cornerstone Orlando hoped for when they drafted him. With Franz Wagner sidelined for the fourth straight game (left high ankle sprain), Banchero put the team on his back - scoring 31 points, pulling down 12 rebounds, and dishing out four assists.
He was relentless attacking the rim, drawing contact and making it count at the line (8-for-10 FT). This marked his second straight 30-point outing and his fifth of the season. When the Magic needed someone to take over, Banchero didn’t hesitate.
Anthony Black Delivers Two-Way Impact
Anthony Black isn’t just growing into his role - he’s thriving in it. The third-year guard was the only Magic player in double figures at halftime (13 points), and he kept his foot on the gas all night. He finished with 26 points, including three triples, and added seven rebounds, five assists, and four steals.
What stood out wasn’t just the scoring - it was his activity on both ends. Black's defensive energy helped fuel Orlando’s second-half surge, and his ability to push the pace and make plays in transition gave the Heat problems all night.
Bane, Suggs, and Carter Jr. Round Out the Starting Five
Desmond Bane gave the Magic a strong closing punch, scoring 10 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter. That’s now 21 games with 20-plus points in a Magic uniform - and this one came when they needed it most.
Jalen Suggs, still working with a minutes restriction, continued to show his versatility. He chipped in 16 points, five boards, and four assists, though the long ball wasn’t falling (1-for-7 from deep). Even so, his energy and effort were evident.
Wendell Carter Jr. battled early foul trouble - picking up three before halftime - but still managed to contribute 10 points and five rebounds. He stayed aggressive despite the whistles and gave Orlando key minutes in the paint.
Bench Gives a Boost
The Magic came into the night ranked 25th in bench scoring, but their second unit made timely contributions in this one.
Tyus Jones, the first man off the bench, didn’t look to score much but ran the offense well, tallying nine assists and knocking down his only three-point attempt. Tristan da Silva added 12 points, including a couple of second-half threes that helped keep Miami at bay.
Jonathan Isaac made his presence felt defensively, as he so often does. In just 17 minutes, he recorded two blocks, two steals, five rebounds, and chipped in four points - a classic Isaac stat line that shows how much he can impact the game without needing the ball.
Owning the Paint
Orlando came out with a clear plan: attack the paint early and often. The Magic scored 26 of their 36 first-quarter points in the paint, shooting a scorching 13-for-16 in that area to start the game.
Things cooled off a bit in the second quarter (12 points in the paint on 6-for-14 shooting), but they finished strong - ending the night with a 62-54 edge in paint points. Miami did its best to keep up, especially in the first half, where the Heat not only scored 28 points in the paint but also got to the line often, hitting 13 of 15 free throws before halftime. Still, Orlando’s interior presence proved too much over four quarters.
Rookie Minutes
Second-round pick Noah Penda saw eight minutes of first-half action but struggled to find a rhythm offensively, shooting 1-for-6 from the field and finishing with three points. First-rounder Jase Richardson got a brief two-minute stint midway through the second quarter but didn’t return after halftime. Neither rookie played in the second half.
What’s Next
With the losing streak snapped and some much-needed confidence restored, the Magic (24-22) head back to Kia Center to host the Toronto Raptors on Friday night. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN - and with Banchero heating up, Black stepping up, and the team showing signs of cohesion, it’s one worth tuning in for.
For now, though, Orlando can exhale. They went into a tough building, played with urgency, and got the job done.