The Orlando Magic have set their franchise record with another win over the Washington Wizards. Kevin Durant now belongs to the top 10 best point scorers. The NBA on Saturday morning
They are unstoppable. They’re a real “problem,” as Washington’s Kyle Kuzma called it after the Wizards’ 125-130 loss. Although his 27 points kept the game in Orlando open for a long time, they were unable to prevent another defeat for the cellar dwellers (3-16) from the US capital
Kuzma made particular reference to Paolo Banchero (28 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists) and Franz Wagner (31 points). The Magic’s two young stars are simply “too big and too strong” and can “manipulate” a game, he said.
New record on Sunday?
Wagner, who is only 22, broke the 30-point barrier for the third time in a row, while his older brother Moritz was not to be outdone in his ninth win in a row, adding 18 points. It’s “not that easy to collect wins in this league”, said the 26-year-old, but somehow the Magic are managing it quite well at the moment and are still hot on the heels of the Boston Celtics (15-4) with a 14-5 record, who won the top duel in the East against the understrength Philadelphia 76ers (now 12-7 without the sick Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey) by 125-119.
Orlando has equaled the franchise record, previously achieved in 1994, 2001 and 2010-11, and can now extend it into double figures when it travels to face the Brooklyn Nets (9-9) on Sunday. Besides Orlando, only the Indiana Pacers (also 9) have a single-digit best winning streak
Schröder vs. Hartenstein: Raptors lose to Knicks
On the other hand, national team captain and fellow world champion Dennis Schröder suffered a setback in the battle for a playoff spot. The point guard lost 106:119 with the Toronto Raptors against the New York Knicks led by his compatriot Isaiah Hartenstein (four points in 16 minutes), with Schröder scoring ten points and nine assists.
Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks lost 94-108 at home to the Memphis Grizzlies (5-13) led by Desmond Bane (30 points) and fell to 11-7 without Maxi Kleber, who injured his toe, and Luka Doncic, who is sidelined with a thumb ligament.
The San Antonio Spurs (3-16) have now lost 14 in a row after a 106-121 defeat at the New Orleans Pelicans led by Jonas Valanciunas, who managed a “Christmas double-double” (24/12). Victor Wembanyama was rested due to his hip problems
Durant new tenth
Superstar Kevin Durant reached another milestone in his successful career during the night and also received congratulations from LeBron James. “Top ten!”, the King wrote to congratulate KD, who increased his all-time points tally to 27,423 in his Phoenix Suns’ 111-119 defeat of the champion Denver Nuggets, moving three-time MVP Moses Malone from tenth place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list
