With the Orlando Magic down a number of guards, coach Jamahl Mosley opted to begin large the group’s first win, a 113-93 house victory over the Charlotte Hornets.
Bol Bol (7-foot-2) stepped into the beginning lineup Friday alongside Terrence Ross (6-foot-6), Pablo Banchero (6-foot-10), Wendell Carter Jr. (6-foot-10) and Franz Wagner (6-foot-10) to present the Magic a beginning lineup of 5 gamers not less than 6-foot-6, together with 4 who’re listed as not less than 6-foot-10.
With Cole Anthony (proper inner indirect muscle damage), Markelle Fultz (fractured left large toe), Gary Harris (left knee damage restoration) and Jalen Suggs (sprained proper ankle) sidelined, Banchero, Carter and Wagner carried a heavier playmaking burden.
They took benefit of the chance.
Banchero completed with a season-high 7 assists to go together with 21 factors (8-of-14 taking pictures) and 10 rebounds in 27 minutes. He grew to become the sixth participant in NBA historical past to begin his profession with six consecutive 20-point video games, together with Wilt Chamberlain (56), Elvin Hayes (10) and Grant Hill, Dominique Wilkins and Oscar Robertson (six).
Carter completed with 15 factors (6-of-13), 5 rebounds, 4 assists and a pair of steals whereas Wagner had 13 factors (5-of-8) and 4 assists in 23 minutes.
Mo Bamba added 19 factors (8-of-12), 6 rebounds and three blocks in 17 minutes off the bench. Bol had 11 factors and seven rebounds in his first begin of the season and the third of his profession since being a second-round choose in 2019.
Jonathan Isaac (left knee damage restoration) and Moe Wagner (sprained proper midfoot) have been additionally sidelined whereas the Hornets have been with out LaMelo Ball (sprained left ankle), Cody Martin (sore left quad) and Terry Rozier (sprained proper ankle).
“It’s nice for these guys,” Mosley mentioned of Banchero and Wagner getting elevated playmaking tasks. “Groups are understanding we’re down some guards in order that they’re choosing up full courtroom, so it offers these guys nice expertise understanding how they will deal with stress.”
Friday was Steve Clifford’s first sport teaching in Orlando since he and the Magic “mutually agreed” to half methods in the summertime of 2021.
Clifford rejoined the Hornets (2-3) as the top coach in June, being there from 2013-18 earlier than guiding the Magic from 2018-21.
He was additionally an assistant coach in Orlando on Stan Van Gundy’s employees from 2007-12.
Clifford mentioned Mosley has accomplished a “terrific” job because the Magic’s coach, including that they’ve a superb friendship.
“No. 1 is the vitality degree you need to have to begin from scratch, particularly with all youthful guys,” Clifford responded when requested about Mosley pregame. “This can be a lot completely different — folks discuss to me about rebuilding — the 2 jobs I took over, we have been good.
“Once I first went to Charlotte, we went from like 21 to [43] wins within the first 12 months. Once I got here [to Orlando], it was comparable. There have been veteran gamers. When you will have all youthful guys and also you’re not all in all of the profitable, that’s robust stuff while you’re a coach and also you play 82 video games. His positivity, vitality ranges and final 12 months —I didn’t get to see them play a ton — they received higher and higher and that’s troublesome to do. They’ve extra expertise and a method to play, which is an actual tribute to how he’s dealt with the state of affairs.”
This text first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. E-mail Khobi Worth at [email protected] or comply with him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
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