NBA: Magic get win over slumping Jazz

Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs, right, celebrates after his 3-point basket with guard Gary Harris (14) as Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) and forward John Collins (20) react during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

ORLANDO, Florida — Jalen Suggs hit three 3-pointers in the final three minutes and finished with 15 points as the Orlando Magic beat the Utah Jazz 115-107 in the NBA on Thursday night.

Paolo Banchero, back in the lineup after missing two games due to the flu, had 29 points and nine rebounds for the Magic, who won for the 10th time in 13 games. The Wagner brothers, Franz and Moritz, each added 14 points. Suggs shot 5 for 8 from the field and 4 for 7 from 3-point distance before fouling out in the final seconds.

Before Suggs’ outburst, Orlando had made only 7 of 27 3-point attempts and had not made one since Gary Harris connected with 4:38 left in the third quarter.

READ: NBA: Paolo Banchero delivers in clutch as Magic beat Pistons

.@jalensuggs on his clutch threes at the end of the 4th

'the dopest part about it was the bench and their reactions … i don't know. it was a great win.' 💙 pic.twitter.com/fmPttiSSP0

— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) March 1, 2024

“I think we’re learning how to win and adapt to the way the game is flowing, and tonight is another example of that,” Suggs said. “We weren’t knocking down shots, but we were playing great defense and we were getting to the rim. He (Banchero) was crazy to start the fourth and keep us in the game, and that gave us a chance to win down the stretch.”

John Collins, Keyonte George and Collin Sexton each scored 19 points and Lauri Markkanen added 18 for the slumping Jazz, who lost their second straight and for the seventh time in eight games.

The Magic went more than 13 minutes without a 3-point field goal before Suggs made one with 2:49 remaining in the game. He made all three of his long shots in a 90-second span, extending Orlando’s lead from 101-100 lead to 110-103.

READ: NBA: Magic reserves shine in win over Cavaliers

Utah stayed in contention with 16-for-37 shooting from long distance. But, playing without Walker Kessler, the NBA’s No. 3 shot blocker, the Jazz had just one block and were outrebounded 45-37. Walker is out with a right foot sprain.

“We put ourselves in a position to win the game. That’s where we want to be with two minutes left — one-point down,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said. “I felt like down the stretch, there were a couple of plays that just didn’t go our way. … Jalen Suggs made some 3s late. That can happen in an NBA game.”

After Orlando built an early double-digit lead in the first half, Jordan Clarkson and Markkanen hit 3-pointers during an 11-0 run as Utah closed within 53-52 by the break.

A 3-pointer by Sexton pulled the Jazz ahead midway through the third quarter, and when Markkanen hit another 3-pointer a minute later, Utah was 13 for 26 from long range.

Utah was never able to get its short-lived lead beyond four points.

Banchero, who wasn’t cleared to play until just before tipoff, scored 12 of Orlando’s first 21 points in the final period, before Suggs took over.

“I couldn’t move. I couldn’t jump. I was very limited,” Banchero said of his two missed games. “I still have sniffles and stuff, but my body’s feeling a lot better.

“I felt pretty good. I was a little rusty in my decision-making, and I was a little tired at some points, but I got it going in the fourth. My teammates encouraged me to stay aggressive.”

NEXT NBA SCHEDULE

Jazz: Visit Miami on Saturday.

Magic: Host Detroit on Sunday.