NBA: Balanced scoring leads Hornets to convincing win over Magic

Charlotte Hornets guard Brandon Miller scored 20 points and led a balanced offensive effort as the visiting Hornets defeated the Orlando Magic 124-97 on Thursday.

Collin Sexton added 19 points, LaMelo Ball contributed 16, and Kon Knueppel recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds for Charlotte. The Hornets led by as many as 33 points and shot 54.4% from the field, including 47.2% (17 of 36) from beyond the arc.

Orlando, playing its first game since a two-game European trip against the Memphis Grizzlies in London on Sunday, struggled offensively. The Magic shot 41.8% from the field and 37.8% (14 of 37) from 3-point range.

Paolo Banchero scored a team-high 23 points for Orlando, while Desmond Bane added 21. Moritz Wagner contributed 14 points, Noah Penda scored 13, and Jett Howard had 10. The Magic briefly took a 3-0 lead on a Bane 3-pointer but never led again.

Charlotte set the tone early, making six 3-pointers during a 21-9 opening run and taking a 35-20 lead after the first quarter. Orlando has been outscored 114-66 in the first quarter over its last three games.

The Hornets continued their dominance in the second quarter, extending the lead to 49-28 on Sexton’s jumper with 6:46 remaining in the half. Sexton scored 12 points in the first half, helping Charlotte build a 62-41 advantage at halftime.

Charlotte shot 47.8% (11 of 23) from three-point range in the first half, while Orlando managed only 26.3% (5 of 19).

The Hornets led by 33 points before Banchero’s three-pointer reduced the deficit to 97-67 at the end of the third quarter. Ball’s basket with 6:59 remaining put Charlotte ahead 109-82, after which both teams rested their starters in the final minutes.

Tidjane Salaun scored 13 points, while Miles Bridges, Ryan Kalkbrenner, and Moussa Diabate each added 10 points for Charlotte. The Hornets have now won two of three meetings against the Magic this season.

Orlando played without guard Jalen Suggs, who missed his eighth straight game due to a right knee contusion.

— Field Level Media/Reuters