The Magic did what they were supposed to do against the 15-win Wizards as Orlando led by as many as 33 points in the nation’s capital on Friday night.
Behind a combined 67 points from Paolo Banchero (30), Franz Wagner (21) and Wendell Carter Jr. (16), Orlando used a big third quarter to capture the 120-105 victory at Capital One Arena.
Jamahl Mosley’s squad used a 19-3 run to take control out of halftime and later put its stamp on the contest thanks to an 11-2 run to outscore Washington 35-17 before the fourth quarter.
“The thing I’m most proud of with this group is our third-quarter effort,” Mosley said. “We’ve talked about it, we’ve challenged them and tonight was a lot different from what we saw the other night.”
Although the Wizards (15-54) entered last in the East, they had gone 5-5 in their last 10 games by playing at an up-tempo pace, which tends to give the Magic fits.
But on Friday, Orlando had no problem by notching 20 points off 15 Wizards turnovers. With the loss, Washington was eliminated from postseason contention.
The Magic (33-38) return home to host the L.A. Lakers on Monday at Kia Center on a night that the franchise will induct Dwight Howard into its Hall of Fame.
Banchero’s big night
The Magic All-Star posted 20 points in the first half alone when he searched for his spots on the floor with success.
Playing with a noticeable level of aggression, he scored on all three levels, including from beyond the arc where he made his first three attempts.
Playing 31 minutes in only three quarters, Banchero scored 30-plus points for the 13th time this season. Shooting 50% from the field, he added 8 rebounds, 5 assists and a steal.
“[His] confidence is at an all-time high,” Carter said of his teammate. “From the time we drafted him, we all knew Paolo was going to be one of those special guys in this league. He’s been proving that a lot this year.
“The sky’s the limit for that kid,” Carter added about the 22-year-old. “He’s phenomenal and he’s just the scratching the surface, which is the craziest part.”
It was the fourth time in the past five contests he scored at least 30 points.
Supporting cast
Just as important as Banchero’s ability to score at will, the Magic forward had help elsewhere.
Three of Orlando’s other starters reached double figures by intermission: Franz Wagner had 12 points and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Wendell Carter Jr. each had 11.
Although Wagner picked up three fouls before the break, that didn’t slow him down when he added 9 more points to total 21 with 8 rebounds and 5 assists in just 24 minutes.
It was a solid first quarter that boosted Carter’s presence around the rim. The Magic center scored all 11 of his first-half points in the opening frame with a 3-pointer from the left corner late in the quarter.
By way of 16 points and 12 rebounds, Carter recorded his 10th double-double of the season.
Difference from distance
Friday’s contest pitted the league’s two worst 3-point shooting squads against each other. Washington entered at 33.5% from beyond the arc, which was in front of Orlando’s 31% from there.
But both teams shot the ball well above their season averages.
Three different members of the Magic made at least three 3-pointers as Orlando shot 17 of 42 from deep (40.5%).
On the other end, Washington converted 17 of its 39 long-range attempts (42.5%).
McClung sighting
With the Magic ahead by 28 points with just over 5 minutes left in the game, Magic two-way guard Mac McClung entered for just the second time this season.
Friday’s game was McClung’s first appearance for Orlando since Oct. 26 at Memphis. It marked just his sixth career NBA game across three seasons with four teams.
“It’s awesome to see,” Banchero said of McClung’s appearance. “Mac is one of the best teammates we’ve got in the locker room, no matter if he’s with us or Osceola. Hopefully he gets a couple more opportunities.”
A three-time slam-dunk contest champion and reigning G League MVP with Osceola, McClung recorded 1 assist but missed his two shots from the floor.
Jason Beede can be reached at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com
