Live stream: Magic 58, Suns 67
The Orlando Magic (19-12) play against the Phoenix Suns (16-15) at Footprint Center
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Game Time: 8:00 PM EST on Sunday December 31, 2023
Orlando Magic 58, Phoenix Suns 67 (Half)
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Suns starters in the 1st half against the NBA’s 3rd-best defense:
65 points
24-42 FG (57.1%)
5-10 3P (50%) – 9:13 PM
Suns starters in the 1st half against the NBA’s 3rd-best defense:
65 points
24-42 FG (57.1%)
5-10 3P (50%) – 9:13 PM
Dan Savage @Dan_Savage
Halftime: Suns 67, Magic 58
Paolo Banchero – 13 pts, 3 rebs
Wendell Carter Jr. – 12 pts 3 rebs
Cole Anthony – 10 pts, 3 rebs
PHX – 53.2% FG | 41.7% 3PT
ORL – 42.3% FG | 21.1% 3PT
Bench Points: ORL 29, PHX 2 – 9:10 PM
Halftime: Suns 67, Magic 58
Paolo Banchero – 13 pts, 3 rebs
Wendell Carter Jr. – 12 pts 3 rebs
Cole Anthony – 10 pts, 3 rebs
PHX – 53.2% FG | 41.7% 3PT
ORL – 42.3% FG | 21.1% 3PT
Bench Points: ORL 29, PHX 2 – 9:10 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Halftime: PHX 67, ORL 58
Booker: 16 Pts, 5-9 FG
Beal: 13 Pts, 5-6 FG
Durant: 13 Pts, 5-10 FG
Nurkic: 13 Pts, 7 Reb, 5-10 FG
Banchero: 13 Pts, 6-12 FG
Magic have stayed in it by being up 29-2 in bench points and snagging 8 offensive rebounds for 22 second-chance points – 9:10 PM
Halftime: PHX 67, ORL 58
Booker: 16 Pts, 5-9 FG
Beal: 13 Pts, 5-6 FG
Durant: 13 Pts, 5-10 FG
Nurkic: 13 Pts, 7 Reb, 5-10 FG
Banchero: 13 Pts, 6-12 FG
Magic have stayed in it by being up 29-2 in bench points and snagging 8 offensive rebounds for 22 second-chance points – 9:10 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Hell of an effort play from Jusuf Nurkic there for the and-1 – 9:08 PM
Hell of an effort play from Jusuf Nurkic there for the and-1 – 9:08 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Magic present three major challenges.
1. Got crazy size to get on offensive glass.
2. Got crazy size that shoots 3s.
3. Got crazy size that defends.
#Suns has maintained 5 to 9-point lead.
Now up 11 after Nurkic retrieved ball. Magic left him and he drove, scored, fouled. FT – 9:07 PM
Magic present three major challenges.
1. Got crazy size to get on offensive glass.
2. Got crazy size that shoots 3s.
3. Got crazy size that defends.
#Suns has maintained 5 to 9-point lead.
Now up 11 after Nurkic retrieved ball. Magic left him and he drove, scored, fouled. FT – 9:07 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Spacing not nearly what it was the last game with the Big 3.
Seeing more 1-on-1 than ball, player movement
#Suns up five after Carter lob finish. Timeout Phoenix with 2:09 left in half. – 9:02 PM
Spacing not nearly what it was the last game with the Big 3.
Seeing more 1-on-1 than ball, player movement
#Suns up five after Carter lob finish. Timeout Phoenix with 2:09 left in half. – 9:02 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Back to backs in the West thus far:
7: Lakers, Mavs, Nuggets
6: Blazers, Jazz
5: Clippers, Grizzlies, Rockets, Warriors
4: Kings, Pelicans, Suns
3: Spurs, Thunder
2: Wolves
The Lakers have played the most total games (35 including IST Final), and the most road games (20). – 9:02 PM
Back to backs in the West thus far:
7: Lakers, Mavs, Nuggets
6: Blazers, Jazz
5: Clippers, Grizzlies, Rockets, Warriors
4: Kings, Pelicans, Suns
3: Spurs, Thunder
2: Wolves
The Lakers have played the most total games (35 including IST Final), and the most road games (20). – 9:02 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Suns on the quick change rotation.
Now Durant and Beal back in while Metu, Gordon out.
Beal blocked Black’s drive, then stopped and stared either into the crowd or at Magic bench.
Smiled and ran back down the court.
Keep eye on Beal after plays. Engaging.
#Suns up seven. – 9:00 PM
Suns on the quick change rotation.
Now Durant and Beal back in while Metu, Gordon out.
Beal blocked Black’s drive, then stopped and stared either into the crowd or at Magic bench.
Smiled and ran back down the court.
Keep eye on Beal after plays. Engaging.
#Suns up seven. – 9:00 PM
Dan Savage @Dan_Savage
Shout out to Dell.
Wendell Carter Jr. is 3-for-3 from the floor and 2-for-2 from 3-point range on his way to 10 first-half points. – 8:59 PM
Shout out to Dell.
Wendell Carter Jr. is 3-for-3 from the floor and 2-for-2 from 3-point range on his way to 10 first-half points. – 8:59 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Lololol Devin Booker staring at Jalen Suggs from the ground after the and-1 was comedy – 8:58 PM
Lololol Devin Booker staring at Jalen Suggs from the ground after the and-1 was comedy – 8:58 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
All five Suns starters are in double figures with 5 minutes left in the second quarter. – 8:58 PM
All five Suns starters are in double figures with 5 minutes left in the second quarter. – 8:58 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
So Booker and Allen check in for Gordon, Beal.
Metu is in for Durant.
So that put Booker, Allen, Okogie, Metu and Nurkic on the floor for a hot second as Gordon checked in for Okogie.
So you got Booker, Gordon, Allen, Metu and Nurkic.
Thoughts on that lineup? #Suns up 55-48 – 8:56 PM
So Booker and Allen check in for Gordon, Beal.
Metu is in for Durant.
So that put Booker, Allen, Okogie, Metu and Nurkic on the floor for a hot second as Gordon checked in for Okogie.
So you got Booker, Gordon, Allen, Metu and Nurkic.
Thoughts on that lineup? #Suns up 55-48 – 8:56 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Suns’ first-shot defense has been great. Giving up 7 offensive rebounds and 19 second-chance points? Not so much – 8:56 PM
Suns’ first-shot defense has been great. Giving up 7 offensive rebounds and 19 second-chance points? Not so much – 8:56 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
That’s now 19 second-chance points for the Magic. The only reason they are in this right now. – 8:55 PM
That’s now 19 second-chance points for the Magic. The only reason they are in this right now. – 8:55 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Magic’s size starting to impact the game on the offensive glass. Orlando has 6 offensive rebounds and 13 second-chance points already – 8:42 PM
Magic’s size starting to impact the game on the offensive glass. Orlando has 6 offensive rebounds and 13 second-chance points already – 8:42 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
#Suns went small, #Magic started eating on offensive glass, but Metu can score on other end.
Just got two. Durant scores again, fouled, has 9.
Phoenix up 10 with 9 minutes left in 1st half. – 8:42 PM
#Suns went small, #Magic started eating on offensive glass, but Metu can score on other end.
Just got two. Durant scores again, fouled, has 9.
Phoenix up 10 with 9 minutes left in 1st half. – 8:42 PM
Dan Savage @Dan_Savage
The @OrlandoMagic’s bench helping keep them within striking distance. Orlando opened the contest outscoring Phoenix 17-0 off the pine. – 8:42 PM
The @OrlandoMagic’s bench helping keep them within striking distance. Orlando opened the contest outscoring Phoenix 17-0 off the pine. – 8:42 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Cole Anthony 3.
Magic down seven, 41-34 #Suns
Not Metu in for Azubuike. So Phoenix going smaller with Metu at the five. – 8:40 PM
Cole Anthony 3.
Magic down seven, 41-34 #Suns
Not Metu in for Azubuike. So Phoenix going smaller with Metu at the five. – 8:40 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
So right now, it’s Gordon, Metu and Azubuike in early rotation.
Suns 37-24 after one. On pace for 148 points.
Remember when Booker was coming out during 1st quarter?
That’s changed.
Played all 1st as did Allen. Okogie starts 2nd with Durant, Beal, Gordon, Azubuike. #Suns – 8:36 PM
So right now, it’s Gordon, Metu and Azubuike in early rotation.
Suns 37-24 after one. On pace for 148 points.
Remember when Booker was coming out during 1st quarter?
That’s changed.
Played all 1st as did Allen. Okogie starts 2nd with Durant, Beal, Gordon, Azubuike. #Suns – 8:36 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
End of 1Q: PHX 37, ORL 24
Beal: 9 Pts, 4-4 FG
Booker: 9 Pts, 3-7 FG
Nurkic: 8 Pts, 4 Reb, 3-4 FG
Banchero: 11 Pts, 5-8 FG
One of the Suns’ better quarters on both ends – 8:34 PM
End of 1Q: PHX 37, ORL 24
Beal: 9 Pts, 4-4 FG
Booker: 9 Pts, 3-7 FG
Nurkic: 8 Pts, 4 Reb, 3-4 FG
Banchero: 11 Pts, 5-8 FG
One of the Suns’ better quarters on both ends – 8:34 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
With Nurkic not in foul trouble early, you can see he’s playing deep into first quarter.
Azubuike at scores table. #Suns up 30-19 with 2:20 left in 1st. – 8:29 PM
With Nurkic not in foul trouble early, you can see he’s playing deep into first quarter.
Azubuike at scores table. #Suns up 30-19 with 2:20 left in 1st. – 8:29 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Beal with nine early on 4-of-4 shooting as Eric Gordon checks in.
#Suns up 27-17 late in 1st quarter. pic.twitter.com/amzrsBRVnS – 8:28 PM
Beal with nine early on 4-of-4 shooting as Eric Gordon checks in.
#Suns up 27-17 late in 1st quarter. pic.twitter.com/amzrsBRVnS – 8:28 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Very talented young man right there.
Paolo Banchero, last season’s rookie of the year, has 11 of Orlando’s 17 points.
#Suns up 23-17 with 4:25 left in 1st. pic.twitter.com/TKQKgNJ0wq – 8:26 PM
Very talented young man right there.
Paolo Banchero, last season’s rookie of the year, has 11 of Orlando’s 17 points.
#Suns up 23-17 with 4:25 left in 1st. pic.twitter.com/TKQKgNJ0wq – 8:26 PM
Dan Savage @Dan_Savage
Paolo Banchero open the contest by going 5-for-8 from the floor on his way to 11 points.
Suns 23, @OrlandoMagic 17 with 4:25 left in the 1st. – 8:25 PM
Paolo Banchero open the contest by going 5-for-8 from the floor on his way to 11 points.
Suns 23, @OrlandoMagic 17 with 4:25 left in the 1st. – 8:25 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Points in the paint were a problem early against Charlotte and tonight it’s 14 already for Orlando. Suns cleaned it up two nights ago. – 8:23 PM
Points in the paint were a problem early against Charlotte and tonight it’s 14 already for Orlando. Suns cleaned it up two nights ago. – 8:23 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Damn. That Suns possession was a thing of beauty. That kinda ball movement is gonna be tough to stop with this group – 8:20 PM
Damn. That Suns possession was a thing of beauty. That kinda ball movement is gonna be tough to stop with this group – 8:20 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Beal drives and kicks out to Durant attacking a closeout and kicks out to Booker attacking a closeout and then the ball rotations lead to an Allen layup attacking a closeout.
Gonna be tough to stop! – 8:20 PM
Beal drives and kicks out to Durant attacking a closeout and kicks out to Booker attacking a closeout and then the ball rotations lead to an Allen layup attacking a closeout.
Gonna be tough to stop! – 8:20 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Suns got a bucket out of an earlier trip with Nurkic creating off bounce, but Beal was open on wing when Durant and Booker had the ball.
Next trip, Beal 3 as he trailed the play.
Next trip, Beal transition 2.
Has 7 early. Timeout Magic with 7:35 left in 1st.
#Suns up 16-9. – 8:18 PM
Suns got a bucket out of an earlier trip with Nurkic creating off bounce, but Beal was open on wing when Durant and Booker had the ball.
Next trip, Beal 3 as he trailed the play.
Next trip, Beal transition 2.
Has 7 early. Timeout Magic with 7:35 left in 1st.
#Suns up 16-9. – 8:18 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Great start for Bradley Beal. Looking a lot more aggressive to start this one, up to 7 points on 3-of-3 shooting as Suns go up 16-9 early – 8:16 PM
Great start for Bradley Beal. Looking a lot more aggressive to start this one, up to 7 points on 3-of-3 shooting as Suns go up 16-9 early – 8:16 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Bradley Beal makes his first 3 shots of the game. Suns scored 16 points in 4:25. – 8:16 PM
Bradley Beal makes his first 3 shots of the game. Suns scored 16 points in 4:25. – 8:16 PM
Nick DePaula @NickDePaula
Devin Booker debuts some “Shattered Backboard” Book 1s pic.twitter.com/aRSFvDxt5R – 8:07 PM
Devin Booker debuts some “Shattered Backboard” Book 1s pic.twitter.com/aRSFvDxt5R – 8:07 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Bradley Beal getting up shots right before game. #Suns pic.twitter.com/YI3XTP40PJ – 8:04 PM
Bradley Beal getting up shots right before game. #Suns pic.twitter.com/YI3XTP40PJ – 8:04 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Deandre Ayton (knee) is already ruled out Monday’s game vs. #Suns.
He’s missed #Blazers last three games. #RipCity pic.twitter.com/U8flGhbNBA – 7:55 PM
Deandre Ayton (knee) is already ruled out Monday’s game vs. #Suns.
He’s missed #Blazers last three games. #RipCity pic.twitter.com/U8flGhbNBA – 7:55 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Tonight should be a good game. Magic are elite this year at defending and forcing turnovers while doing a great job on the glass as well. Those are some recent problem areas for the Suns to face head-on and keep the improvements going. – 7:42 PM
Tonight should be a good game. Magic are elite this year at defending and forcing turnovers while doing a great job on the glass as well. Those are some recent problem areas for the Suns to face head-on and keep the improvements going. – 7:42 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Suns starting lineup vs. Magic.
Devin Booker
Bradley Beal
Grayson Allen
Kevin Durant
Jusuf Nurkic
#Suns pic.twitter.com/Lw1TwdN7da – 7:32 PM
Suns starting lineup vs. Magic.
Devin Booker
Bradley Beal
Grayson Allen
Kevin Durant
Jusuf Nurkic
#Suns pic.twitter.com/Lw1TwdN7da – 7:32 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
No Markelle Fultz or Jonathan Isaac for the Magic after they were questionable.
Wendell Carter Jr. and Gary Harris were questionable too and they are in. Both coming off the bench. – 7:31 PM
No Markelle Fultz or Jonathan Isaac for the Magic after they were questionable.
Wendell Carter Jr. and Gary Harris were questionable too and they are in. Both coming off the bench. – 7:31 PM
Portland Trail Blazers PR @TrailBlazersPR
INJURY REPORT 1/1 @ PHX:
OUT
Ayton (R Knee Tendinitis)
Simons (Illness)
Williams III (R Knee Ligament Tear)
DOUBTFUL
Reath (Low Back Strain)
QUESTIONABLE
Camara (R Knee Soreness)
Minaya (G League Two Way)
Murray (On Assignment)
Rupert (On Assignment)
Sharpe (R Adductor Strain) – 7:25 PM
INJURY REPORT 1/1 @ PHX:
OUT
Ayton (R Knee Tendinitis)
Simons (Illness)
Williams III (R Knee Ligament Tear)
DOUBTFUL
Reath (Low Back Strain)
QUESTIONABLE
Camara (R Knee Soreness)
Minaya (G League Two Way)
Murray (On Assignment)
Rupert (On Assignment)
Sharpe (R Adductor Strain) – 7:25 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“I really want to see us continue to improve on our ball containment and being strong in our gaps and our help defense improve.” Frank Vogel. #Suns pic.twitter.com/32NxJ3JWKU – 7:04 PM
“I really want to see us continue to improve on our ball containment and being strong in our gaps and our help defense improve.” Frank Vogel. #Suns pic.twitter.com/32NxJ3JWKU – 7:04 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“It was more towards the end of last year, but what we’ve been building over years now. A plan that’s in place to help guys understand exactly what they need to do defensively within a system.” Jamahl Mosley.
#Magic 18th in defensive rating last season, 3rd this seaaon. #Suns pic.twitter.com/hnixmWUyzc – 6:59 PM
“It was more towards the end of last year, but what we’ve been building over years now. A plan that’s in place to help guys understand exactly what they need to do defensively within a system.” Jamahl Mosley.
#Magic 18th in defensive rating last season, 3rd this seaaon. #Suns pic.twitter.com/hnixmWUyzc – 6:59 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“His length. He definitely deflected so many shots. His presence of being able to try to block shots at the rim. He was able to switch at times. That’s what people don’t understand. He can sit down and sit down and guard.” Jamahl Mosley on Bol Bol, who played for the Magic. #Suns pic.twitter.com/ekDEHaiWYF – 6:48 PM
“His length. He definitely deflected so many shots. His presence of being able to try to block shots at the rim. He was able to switch at times. That’s what people don’t understand. He can sit down and sit down and guard.” Jamahl Mosley on Bol Bol, who played for the Magic. #Suns pic.twitter.com/ekDEHaiWYF – 6:48 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“When the ball goes up, and you got 48 minutes with him just being in attack mode, it’s really fun to be on his side.”
Frank Vogel on Kevin Durant. #Suns pic.twitter.com/V9H75NrtW4 – 6:41 PM
“When the ball goes up, and you got 48 minutes with him just being in attack mode, it’s really fun to be on his side.”
Frank Vogel on Kevin Durant. #Suns pic.twitter.com/V9H75NrtW4 – 6:41 PM
Dan Savage @Dan_Savage
Wendell Carter Jr., Markelle Fultz, Gary Harris, and Jonathan Isaac will all go through their pregame routine and will be game-time decisions for the @OrlandoMagic’s road game against the Phoenix Suns:
nba.com/magic/news/orl… – 6:32 PM
Wendell Carter Jr., Markelle Fultz, Gary Harris, and Jonathan Isaac will all go through their pregame routine and will be game-time decisions for the @OrlandoMagic’s road game against the Phoenix Suns:
nba.com/magic/news/orl… – 6:32 PM
David Aldridge @davidaldridgedc
PMers: How did Jalen SUGGS “disconnect” from basketball this summer, and how has that helped him become a defensive demon for the upstart Magic after two injury-plagued seasons? My Q&A with Orlando’s third-year guard, in @TheAthletic: bit.ly/3RYZ7ZR – 6:16 PM
PMers: How did Jalen SUGGS “disconnect” from basketball this summer, and how has that helped him become a defensive demon for the upstart Magic after two injury-plagued seasons? My Q&A with Orlando’s third-year guard, in @TheAthletic: bit.ly/3RYZ7ZR – 6:16 PM
David Aldridge @davidaldridgedc
PMers: How did Jalen Hurts “disconnect” from basketball this summer, and how has that helped him become a defensive demon for the upstart Magic after two injury-plagued seasons? My Q&A with Orlando’s third-year guard, in @TheAthletic: bit.ly/3RYZ7ZR – 6:00 PM
PMers: How did Jalen Hurts “disconnect” from basketball this summer, and how has that helped him become a defensive demon for the upstart Magic after two injury-plagued seasons? My Q&A with Orlando’s third-year guard, in @TheAthletic: bit.ly/3RYZ7ZR – 6:00 PM
Jim Eichenhofer @Jim_Eichenhofer
Western Conference current 6th- through 11th-place team records since end of #NBA In-Season Tournament:
Mavericks 5-5
#Pelicans 6-3
Suns 4-5
Lakers 3-7
Rockets 5-6
Warriors 5-5 – 5:26 PM
Western Conference current 6th- through 11th-place team records since end of #NBA In-Season Tournament:
Mavericks 5-5
#Pelicans 6-3
Suns 4-5
Lakers 3-7
Rockets 5-6
Warriors 5-5 – 5:26 PM
Lauren L. Williams @WilliamsLaurenL
Call overturned and officials assess the foul to Landry Shamet – 5:02 PM
Call overturned and officials assess the foul to Landry Shamet – 5:02 PM
Phoenix Suns @Suns
Get yourself a new Suns hat as tonight’s Item of the Game, presented by @PayPal!
🛍️ Shop Now: Suns.com/PayPalIOG pic.twitter.com/a6niLgvOqN – 4:58 PM
Get yourself a new Suns hat as tonight’s Item of the Game, presented by @PayPal!
🛍️ Shop Now: Suns.com/PayPalIOG pic.twitter.com/a6niLgvOqN – 4:58 PM