----- Wendell Carter Jr. finished with 17 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists and Franz Wagner added 20 points as the Orlando Magic edged the Portland Trail Blazers 104-103 Monday night at Kia Center in Orlando.
Wendell Carter Jr. finished with 17 points and 13 rebounds and Franz Wagner added 20 points as the Orlando Magic escaped Kia Center with a 104-103 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night.
Dalano Banton led Portland with 26 points and Deandre Ayton recorded a double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Jabari Walker had another strong performance with 18 points and nine rebounds on 7-of-15 shooting.
Portland trailed by 10 entering the fourth, but opened the quarter on a 16-4 run to take an 89-87 lead with 5:42 to play. Orlando responded with a 15-4 run taking a nine-point lead at 102-93 with 3:04 to play.
The Trail Blazers cut the deficit to one at 104-103 following a 10-2 run finished off on an Ayton layup with 36.2 seconds remaining.
After a Paolo Banchero missed three-pointer, Ayton secured the rebound and the Trail Blazers called timeout.
On the final play Scoot Henderson setup Ayton for a baseline jumper at the buzzer but the shot came up short preserving the win for the Magic.
Up Next- The Trail Blazers travel to Charlotte to meet the Hornets on Wednesday afternoon. The game is scheduled to tip off at 4:00 PM.
Chad's Take- Gritty performance by the Trail Blazers. Dalano Banton continues to impress!