Hornets at Magic
The Orlando Magic will attempt to match their longest winning streak of the season when they play host to the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night. Orlando, which defeated visiting Memphis 112-102 on Monday, can win three straight for the third time this season and it feels as if a veteran group is beginning to come together.
"I believe this team will get stronger each month and that's what I’m challenging them to do," Magic coach Frank Vogel told the team's website. "I want them to understand that it was to be expected to have a little period where there were bumps in the room and it took time to jell. But now I am hopeful now that we've learned more about each other and we've come together each game, that we'll get stronger as the season goes on." Forward Aaron Gordon is showing signs of getting stronger, having produced two games with at least 30 points in his last seven outings. He buried all four of his 3-point attempts on Monday for Orlando, which is averaging 121.7 points over its last six wins. The Hornets had a three-game winning streak of their own come to an end with a 120-118 setback at Brooklyn on Monday, as Nets guard Randy Foye drilled a 3-pointer at the buzzer to seal it.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN Southeast (Charlotte), FSN Sun (Orlando)
ABOUT THE HORNETS (17-14): Charlotte played Monday without guard Marco Belinelli (ankle), who had made at least three 3-pointers in four of six games prior to the injury. Without one of their top perimeter threats, the Hornets were 8-of-26 from long distance in the loss to the Nets and leading scorer Kemba Walker was held to 15 points, shooting 0-for-4 in the fourth quarter. "It happens. The ball just didn't drop," Walker told reporters. "I've got to be better for my team offensively because they depend on me for that, but unfortunately the ball just didn't drop."
ABOUT THE MAGIC (15-18): Orlando has managed to string together the two wins despite the absence of shooting guard Evan Fournier (heel), who had produced at least 20 points in six of seven games before being sidelined. Jodie Meeks has started in Fournier's place and broke out of a shooting slump with three 3-pointers and 13 points against the Grizzlies. Point guard Elfrid Payton is averaging 20.5 points and eight assists in the win streak while committing just one turnover in 55 total minutes.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Charlotte has won four straight meetings, including a 109-88 rout at home earlier this month.
2. Magic C Bismack Biyombo had his fourth double-double (10 points, 12 rebounds) on Monday and is averaging 9.1 boards this month.
3. Hornets SG Nicolas Batum scored 24 points Monday and is averaging 22.3 along with 8.3 assists over his last three games.