At shootaround Tuesday morning, Magic coach Jamahl Mosley described the consequence of missing free throws as the outcome of losing games.
Orlando learned that the hard way Sunday at Houston when it missed nine in a four-point overtime loss, but bounced back in a major way Tuesday when it shot 27 for 29 at the charity stripe hosting the Warriors for the lone time this season.
The Magic used their sharpshooting at the line and 28 fastbreak points to lift them past Golden State, 121-113, in front of a sold out Kia Center to open a three-game homestand.
Without All-Star forward Paolo Banchero, who missed his third game in a row due to a left groin strain, Orlando had six different players end in double figures, including Desmond Bane (23 points), Anthony Black (21) and Franz Wagner (18).
The star power of Stephen Curry (34 points), Jimmy Butler (33) and Draymond Green (12) wasn’t enough when Orlando scored 21 points off 18 takeaways to hold off Golden State (9-7) in the fourth quarter.
The Magic (8-7) continue their three-game homestand Thursday against the Clippers.
Starting 5
Jalen Suggs (sore right groin) was upgraded from questionable to available about an hour prior to tip-off against Golden State.
He opened up alongside Bane, Wagner, Wendell Carter Jr. and second-year pro Tristan da Silva, the latter of whom filled in for Banchero.
Still on a minutes restriction that’s increased each night he’s stepped on the floor, Suggs helped guard Curry and penetrated the paint on the other end. Suggs, who picked up his third foul with 1 minute left in the second quarter, missed his first four triples but ended with 13 points and dished out 8 assists.
Bane shot out of a cannon when he hit his first 3 to score 7 points in the opening four minutes. He had 12 points and 4 assists by the break by continuing to finish near the rim. His corner 3 with 35 seconds left put Orlando ahead by 11 points late.
He and da Silva powered Orlando’s offense in the first quarter when the German wing scored 8 of his first-half 12 points in the opening quarter. Da Silva (15) scored more than 13 points for a third straight game.
While da Silva and Bane had a fast start, Wagner did not. He shot 1 for 5 from the field but remained resilient driving downhill to use trips to the free throw line (4 for 4) to lift his offense. Wagner found himself in foul trouble when he picked up his fourth foul halfway through the third quarter.
Carter recorded his third double-double of the season by way of 17 points and 12 boards while he occasionally helped out defending Curry in a switching defensive scheme.
Bench boost
Orlando’s bench had crucial help when Black returned as a reserve with Suggs starting again.
Black was aggressive attacking the basket and getting to the charity stripe where he shot 5 for 5 in the first half alone. The third-year pro missed all three of his long-range attempts but remained assertive on both ends with 2 assists and 2 steals.
Veteran guard Tyus Jones ended a seven-game scoreless streak when he hit a 3-pointer from the left wing early in the second quarter. He added a second triple from the top of the key late in the third frame to end with 8 points in 15 minutes.
Goga Bitadze’s night was highlighted with a third-quarter alley-oop off a lob from Wagner. The backup Magic center made all three of shots from the field for 6 points.
Orlando’s bench outscored Golden State’s 35-22.
Paint points
The Warriors entered the game scoring the fewest points in the paint league-wide at 39.7 per night. On the other side, Orlando was in the upper half averaging 50.9 points per game.
The difference in style of play was on full display when the sides faced off Tuesday.
The Magic shot 32 for 48 in the paint outscoring Golden State 64-46 close to the rim.
Jason Beede can be reached at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com
