Franz and Moritz Wagner shine for Orlando in Charlotte, promptly there is a Magic victory. The Golden State Warriors dominate the Chicago Bulls, where another star gets injured. Dennis Schröder caught a completely used evening against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Charlotte Hornets (23-20) – Orlando Magic (8-35) 109:116 (BOXSCORE)
- The Wagner brothers put on a real show in Charlotte, almost single-handedly leading the struggling Magic to victory. Moritz Wagner booked 26 points from the bench, his brother Franz scored 19 points – the two Germans were also able to convince with their efficiency (19/28 FG combined).
- Charlotte suffered a surprise defeat after their last four straight wins, despite all five starters scoring in double figures, led by Lamelo Ball with 23 points. The big difference in bench scoring was striking, with Orlando’s second guard throwing in 55 points compared to a meager 19 for the hosts.
- Defensive deficits were evident on both sides in the first quarter. Both Charlotte and Orlando believed in the motto “attack is the best defense”. The game developed into an open exchange of blows, from the point of view of the hosts it was +2 at the break (63:61).
- There were highlights mainly at the offensive end of the floor, like this sequence of LaMelo Balls with a triple, followed by a steal and a spectacular Jamal Crawford-style lob pass.
- After a balanced third quarter, the Magic pulled away in the last section after a 13-0 run, the Hornets were no longer offensive in the final phase. None other than Mo Wagner put a big exclamation mark and at the same time the end with a poster dunk before the end.
- Corona-Protokoll: Kelly Oubre Jr., Kai Jones (beide Hornets)
Detroit Pistons (10-31) – Toronto Raptors (20-19) 103:87 (BOXSCORE)
- The Pistons continue their small run in 2022, beating the Raptors, Detroit is now up to five wins and three losses in January. The hosts benefited above all from a strong performance from the bench unit, above all Trey Lyles (21 points) and Josh Jackson (13 points).
- Number one pick Cade Cunningham was convincing (18 points, 8/15 FG), Hamadou Diallo also had 18 points. VanVleet and Siakam had a combined 47 points with the Raptors. Isaac Bonga was again with the G-League team.
- Detroit built a 56-43 lead at halftime, the highest of the season so far. The Raptors had a 28 percent shot percentage in the first period, including 2 of 9 from the field for VanVleet.
- The hosts led by up to 20 points, but several Pistons players had foul problems. In the meantime, Toronto came up to 9 points (69:60), but as a result nothing came together on the offensive, after three quarters it was 83:66.
- In the last period, the Raptors reduced the gap to 8 (91:83), Cunningham made the decision with a three-pointer 2:41 minutes before the end.
- Corona-Protocol:-
Indiana Pacers (15-28) – Phoenix Suns (32-9) 94:112 (BOXSCORE)
- After Booker last feuded with the Raptors mascot, the hosts performed “Welcome to Jurassic Park” during the Suns player intros, and an inflatable dinosaur roamed the arena. The Pacers’ mind games didn’t make a sporty difference, though.
- On the contrary: D-Book only seemed more motivated by the actions mentioned and gave the hosts 35 points (11/25 FG, 6/13 3FG), Deandre Ayton put on a double-double (27 points, 13 boards). Justin Holiday (25) and Caris LeVert (20) were the top pitchers for the Pacers.
- Both teams didn’t get up to speed offensively in the first half, the first two quarters each ended with a score of 23:19, Phoenix and Indiana both threw under 35 percent out of the field. Only Ayton (21 points) ran hot in the first round, at the break it was 46:38 for the Suns.
- Indiana hinted at a comeback in the third quarter but remained stone cold (27 percent FG) in the final stretch. Chris Paul scored 10 of his 12 points in the last 12 minutes and controlled the game, in the end it was a must-win for the team with the best record in the league.
- Corona-Protocol:-
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