Orlando Magic (40-35) beat Phoenix Suns (42-34) 115-111 at home on Tuesday, March 31 in a game that stayed within 14 points at every quarter break.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Magic had the better start, winning the first 28-21 to lead by 7 after one. The Magic kept the pressure on with a 42-35 second quarter, carrying a 14-point lead into halftime.
The Suns won the third 38-24 to pull even, leaving the game tied at 94 entering the fourth. The Magic took the fourth 21-17; the Magic finished the job for a 115-111 regulation win.
The edge that mattered
The Magic made 44.3 free throws per 100 field-goal attempts, compared with 30.7 for the Suns. The Magic got more from their shots, finishing at 50.6% effective field-goal shooting compared with 47.7% for the Suns. In a 4-point game, the points at the line gave them room for error elsewhere.
The Suns did win one battle, ball security: TOV% of 17.8 against 22.1. The Magic made up for it elsewhere.
At roughly 113 possessions per team, the Magic produced 102 points per 100 possessions to 98.5 for the Suns.
Who made the difference
Devin Booker was the game's biggest individual force for PHX: 34 pts, 3 reb, 7 ast on 8-16 shooting. His Game Score of 26.4 led everyone. His team was -14 with him on the floor.
Jalen Suggs led the Magic with 20 pts, 8 reb, 7 ast, 4 stl on 6-11 shooting, good for a 18.8 Game Score.
Wendell Carter Jr. (15 pts, 12 reb, 0 ast) recorded a double-double.
What it means
The pre-game Win Meter had it close to a coin flip, at about 60% for the Magic.
Across the last 3 meetings in our records, Orlando Magic lead 2-1.
The Magic are now 40-35, and the Suns are 42-34. The Magic last five before this game: L-L-L-W-L.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.