Defending NBA champions Denver Nuggets lost 124-119 to the Orlando Magic on Wednesday at Amway Center after a back-and-forth game. 

The victory brought Orlando’s win run to five games. 

Throughout the game, neither side had a lead larger than nine points. The lead changed hands 19 times, and there were 15 ties. After Paolo Banchero’s 3-pointer shook the rim and went in with 1:18 remaining in the fourth quarter, giving the Magic (10-5) a permanent lead of 118-115, they never looked back. 

In the fourth quarter, the Magic scored 42 points while the Nuggets scored 31. 

With less than a minute remaining in the game, the Magic defense induced a 24-second shot clock viоlatiоn, denying Denver (10-5) repeated opportunities to tie the game. With just under two minutes remaining in the game, the Magic took a commanding 122-119 lead, and Franz Wagner sealed the deal with a steаl.

In the last thirty seconds of the game, Goga Bitadze, Jalen Suggs, and Wagner all Һit two free throws to seal the deal. 

With 27 points, including 24 in the second half, Wagner was Orlando’s leading scorer. With the help of four 3-pointers, Banchero poured in 23 points, while bench scorer Cole Anthony added 20.

With 12 points apiece, bench players Moe Wagner and Joe Ingles were instrumental. With seven assists, Ingles topped the team.

Overall, the Magic’s bench scored 58 points more than the Nuggets’ bench.

The Nuggets’ starting lineup all finished with double-digit scoring. With 30 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 assists, Nikola Jokić topped the team’s triple-double. The Nuggets’ Michael Porter Jr. also had a huge game, scoring 25 points on 5-for-5 shooting.  

On Friday, Orlando will play home to the Boston Celtics in the final game of the In-Season Tournament at the Amway Center. With a record of 2-1, Orlando is now in third place in the competition, behind the Celtics and the Brooklyn Nets.