N.B.A
Wagner’s Magic win clearly against Schröder’s Raptors
Orlando’s Jalen Suggs (M) fouls Toronto’s Dennis Schröder (17). photo
© Kevin Kolczynski/AP/dpa
World champions in the summer, now opponents in the NBA for the first time this season: The reunion with Dennis Schröder went well for the brothers Franz and Moritz Wagner. The captain and his team are almost out.
The brothers Franz and Moritz Wagner have in the NBA won the world championship duel with its national team captain Dennis Schröder and still has a chance of reaching the next round in the league’s newly introduced tournament.
The Orlando Magic’s 126:107 win against the Toronto Raptors, which was never in danger, was the second victory in the third tournament game for the basketball team from Florida. After two defeats in two games of the so-called in-season tournament, the Raptors no longer have any hopes of taking part in the finals in Las Vegas.
Schröder had another good game for the Raptors with 24 points and four three-pointers, but he couldn’t do anything against the hosts’ unified team performance. Paolo Banchero was the best thrower of the evening with 25 points for Orlando, Franz Wagner scored 17 points, and his brother Moritz had 10 points.
Lakers are certainly there in Las Vegas
“It’s always great to see them,” Schröder said. “Orlando is playing well at the moment and they are part of it. We made history together a few months ago. I’m always happy for my German brothers and hope they keep it up. They played with a lot of energy, we couldn’t do that keep up.”
To advance to the knockout rounds of the tournament being held for the first time, a team must win one of the six groups or secure one of the two wild cards. They go to the two best runners-up in the group. In order to maintain their chances of reaching the next round, the Magic have to defeat the Boston Celtics, who are still undefeated in the tournament, on Friday. The games also count towards the main round of the league.
The Los Angeles Lakers will definitely be there in Las Vegas. The 131:99 against the Utah Jazz was the fourth win in the fourth tournament game for the NBA record champions. LeBron James scored 17 points and became the first basketball player in history to break the barrier of 39,000 points in the NBA in the first quarter. After a weak start to the season, it was the Lakers’ sixth win from the last seven games. The Indiana Pacers also completed qualification with a 157:152 win against the Atlanta Hawks.