Magic break 6-game losing streak, beat Cavaliers 120-115
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Mo Bamba had 20 points and 12 rebounds, Ignas Brazdeikis scored 20 off the bench and the Orlando Magic beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 120-115 on Tuesday night to stop a six-game losing streak.
Moritz Wagner scored 10 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter for the Magic.
Darius Garland had 27 points and 10 assists, and Lauri Markkanen added 25 points for the injury-riddled Cavaliers, who have dropped eight of 10. Cleveland is trying to hold onto seventh place in the Eastern Conference with two regular-season games remaining.
Markkanen, who had 17 points before halftime, scored the final five of the first half to leave the Cavaliers with a 61-59 lead at the break.
Markelle Fultz, who finished with 16 points and six assists in his first start of the season, rallied the Magic in the third quarter. Wagner scored seven straight points early in the fourth, starting with a midcourt steal and dunk and ending with a 3-pointer with 7:17 remaining.
Bamba hit all five of his 3-point shots in the first 10 minutes to help Orlando quickly erase Cleveland’s 14-3 game-opening burst.
TIP-INS
Cavaliers: C Evan Mobley missed his fifth straight game with a sprained ankle. He will practice Thursday and be re-evaluated. ... All-Star C Jarrett Allen missed his 16th game with a broken finger. ... Coach J.B. Bickerstaff was fined $15,000 on Monday by the NBA for criticizing officials after Sunday’s game.
Magic: F Franz Wagner, who missed his first game of the season Sunday after starting 78 straight, started and played seven minutes before leaving with a sprained right ankle. ... Fultz started his first game since tearing his ACL on Jan. 6, 2021. ... G Cole Anthony did not play after re-injuring his toe Sunday night. ... F Wendell Carter Jr. (sprained left wrist) missed a fourth straight game.
UP NEXT
Cavaliers: Play at Brooklyn on Friday night.
Magic: Play at Charlotte on Thursday night.