Orlando Magic (44-36) beat Minnesota Timberwolves (47-33) 132-120 at home on Wednesday, April 8 in a shootout, with the two teams combining for 252 points.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Magic had the better start, winning the first 34-32 to lead by 2 after one. The Magic kept the pressure on with a 29-21 second quarter, carrying a 10-point lead into halftime.
The Magic won the third 38-30 to create some separation, taking a 18-point lead into the fourth. The Timberwolves took the fourth 37-31; the Magic held on for a 132-120 regulation win.
What decided it
The Magic grabbed 44.2% of their own misses, while the Timberwolves recovered 23.7%. The Magic made 18.9 free throws per 100 field-goal attempts, compared with 13.3 for the Timberwolves. The second chances kept adding up.
At roughly 103 possessions per team, the Magic produced 128.6 points per 100 possessions to 116.9 for the Timberwolves.
Who made the difference
Terrence Shannon Jr. was the game's biggest individual force for MIN: 33 pts, 2 reb, 5 ast on 11-14 shooting. His Game Score of 28.9 led everyone. His team was -2 with him on the floor.
Paolo Banchero led the Magic with 20 pts, 8 reb, 6 ast on 8-11 shooting, good for a 20.3 Game Score.
Goga Bitadze (14 pts, 15 reb, 6 ast) recorded a double-double.
What it means
The pre-game Win Meter had it close to a coin flip, at about 61% for the Magic.
Across the last 3 meetings in our records, Minnesota Timberwolves lead 2-1.
The Magic are now 44-36, and the Timberwolves are 47-33. The Magic last five before this game: W-L-W-W-W.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.