Oct 30, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Washington Wizards forward Paul Pierce (34) shoots over Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) in the first half at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports
The Orlando Magic’s young-guns provided the comeback but not the finish.
After trailing by 17 points early in the fourth quarter, the Magic cut the deficit to just two but couldn’t get defensive stops late as they dropped their home-opener 105-98 to the Washington Wizards.
Orlando (0-2) trailed 84-67 with 10:33 before mounting a comeback attempt. Evan Fournier hit a 3-pointer with 3:27 left to make it 96-93 and Ben Gordon, who turned back time with an impressive 22 points off the bench, got Orlando to within two with three free throws making it 100-98 with 44 seconds left.
John Wall would put the game to bed on the Wizards’ (1-1) next possession as he blew by Fournier for a lay-up.
Fournier finished with 21 points while Nikola Vucevic added 23 points and 12 boards. Tobias Harris had 14.
Wall had 30 points, 12 assists and five rebounds for Washington, while former Magic center Marcin Gortat chipped in with 20 points and 12 rebounds.
The Magic trailed by just three at half time, 54-51, as Wall hit a 3-pointer as time expired. However, the third quarter was the Magic’s undoing as they could only muster 15 points and trailed 82-66 heading into the final quarter.
Orlando shot 51.5 per cent from the floor but had 18 turnovers, six of which came from rookie Elfrid Payton.
They Magic will look for their first win of the season Saturday when they host the Toronto Raptors.