Orlando Magic (39-34) beat Sacramento Kings (19-55) 121-117 at home on Thursday, March 26 in a game that stayed within 9 points at every quarter break.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Magic had the better start, winning the first 39-30 to lead by 9 after one. The Kings cut into the deficit with a 29-26 second quarter, though the Magic still led by 6 at halftime.
The Kings won the third 31-28 to stay in front, taking a 3-point lead into the fourth. The Magic took the fourth 28-27; the Magic finished the job for a 121-117 regulation win.
The edge that mattered
The Magic made 37.8 free throws per 100 field-goal attempts, compared with 14.8 for the Kings. The Magic got more from their shots, finishing at 62.8% effective field-goal shooting compared with 59.1% for the Kings. In a 4-point game, the points at the line gave them room for error elsewhere.
The Kings did win one battle, ball security: TOV% of 9.5 against 12.9. The Magic made up for it elsewhere.
At roughly 94 possessions per team, the Magic produced 128.6 points per 100 possessions to 124.4 for the Kings.
Who made the difference
DeMar DeRozan was the game's biggest individual force for SAC: 33 pts, 6 reb, 11 ast on 12-24 shooting. His Game Score of 28.9 led everyone. His team was -5 with him on the floor.
Paolo Banchero led the Magic with 30 pts, 9 reb, 7 ast on 11-22 shooting, good for a 26 Game Score.
Wendell Carter Jr. (10 pts, 11 reb, 0 ast) and DeMar DeRozan (33 pts, 6 reb, 11 ast) each recorded a double-double.
What it means
The result fit the pre-game Win Meter, which gave the Magic about a 85% chance.
Across the last 3 meetings in our records, Orlando Magic lead 3-0.
The Magic are now 39-34, and the Kings are 19-55. The Magic last five before this game: L-L-L-L-L.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.