Magic beat Hornets for third time this season

Paolo Banchero collected 24 points, eight rebounds and six assists to lift the host Orlando Magic to a 102-86 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday.

Banchero sank 4 of 9 attempts from 3-point range for the Magic, who broke open a close game by outscoring the Hornets 33-19 in the third quarter.

Orlando's Anthony Black made 8 of 13 shots to highlight his 18-point performance off the bench.

Franz Wagner recorded 16 points and seven rebounds, and Cole Anthony had 13 and six, respectively, to help the Magic defeat the Hornets for the third time in as many meetings this season.

Orlando held a 52-43 edge in rebounds, including a 13-6 advantage on the offensive glass. Goga Bitadze had four of his team's nine blocks to go along with seven rebounds.

Charlotte's Miles Bridges contributed 19 points and eight rebounds in a bid to overcome the absence of leading scorer LaMelo Ball (ankle).

Josh Green and Damion Baugh each had 16 points for the Hornets, who have lost three in a row at home, all at home, and nine of their last 10 overall. They are 4-19 on the road.

Green sank a 3-pointer to stake Charlotte to a 53-48 lead before Orlando went on a 27-10 run. Anthony and Banchero each converted twice from beyond the arc to stake the Magic to a 75-63 advantage.

Caleb Houstan drained a pair of 3-pointers early in the fourth quarter to extend the Magic's lead to 92-72 with 7:02 remaining. Orlando wasn't seriously tested the rest of the way.

Wagner made a midrange jumper to give Orlando a 33-20 lead early in the second before Charlotte responded with a 26-11 run to end the quarter. Green and Tidjane Salaun each sank a 3-pointer to ignite the surge before Bridges capped the run by making a free throw to give the Hornets a 46-44 lead at halftime.

Orlando's Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Charlotte's Nick Smith Jr. were ejected just before halftime. Caldwell-Pope was jawing with the officials, while Smith had words with the Magic player.

--Field Level Media