When the Magic almost blew a game and their chances at securing home-court advantage in the first round, Jalen Suggs stepped up.
Aaaaand breathe pic.twitter.com/3KuPeEH9YR
— Bally Sports Florida & Bally Sports Sun (@BallySportsFL) April 2, 2024
Suggs absolutely blanketed Scoot Henderson on Portland’s final possession, and his relentless defensive pressure sending the rookie point guard to the floor. Henderson made a desperate pass to DeAndre Ayton, who whiffed on a jumper as time expired in Orlando’s 104-103 win.
The Magic have one of the easiest remaining schedules of any playoff team, but nearly blew one of their best chances at a win against the 19-56 Trail Blazers, who have lost two games this year by 60 or more points.
After taking a nine-point lead with three minutes left, the Magic allowed a 10-2 run from the Blazers.
Orlando has the league’s second-best defense, and Portland has the second-worst offense, but the Magic simply couldn’t handle the scoring of Dalano Banton in the second half. He finished with his sixth game of 25-plud points in the last four weeks — not bad for a player the Boston Celtics paid the Blazers to take in February.
Another poster for the wall pic.twitter.com/yQlFgJ0xnw
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) April 2, 2024
Suggs, though, came up big when it mattered most.
With Orlando now sitting a game back of the Cleveland Cavaliers and a half-game back of the New York Knicks, the team has a golden opportunity to move from the No. 5 seed to the No. 4 or even No. 3 seed. The Magic do have to play Milwaukee twice in their last three games, but the Bucks will likely have the No. 2 seed wrapped up by then.
Both the Cavs and the Knicks are dealing with rosters hit with multiple injuries while the Magic are enjoying great health, even from oft-injured contributors Markelle Fultz and Jonathan Isaac.
Suggs didn’t just save the game. He saved Orlando’s hopes of grabbing third or fourth place — and home-court advantage for at least one round.
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