Southeast Roundup: Magic Frustrations Mount, Ware Remains Out, Wizards–Hornets Start Moved
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The Orlando Magic suffered a 124-97 home defeat to the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday, a setback that came against a club eight games behind them in the standings. Missing starters Franz Wagner (ankle) and Jalen Suggs (knee), Orlando’s locker room voiced concern over what players described as uneven play.
“There’s no true identity to our team right now, and it’s hard to win on a consistent basis when you don’t have a calling card,” swingman Desmond Bane said after the game.
The Magic are 10-12 since a three-game winning streak ended on December 3 and have not strung together more than two straight victories during that span. Last season’s No. 2 defense has slipped to 13th in defensive rating this year, while the offense ranks 19th.
“When you look at the swag, the energy and the spirit, it just feels not up to par to our standard, and we’ve got to figure that out,” center Moritz Wagner added.
Heat Updates
Miami center Kelel Ware missed his second consecutive game Thursday because of a right hamstring strain and has been ruled out for Saturday in Utah and Sunday in Phoenix. Head coach Erik Spoelstra said Ware was sent back to Miami for treatment and does not expect the injury to linger long term, though no firm timetable was provided.
In a separate development, former Heat security staffer Marcos Tomas Perez was sentenced to three years in federal prison and ordered to pay $1.9 million in restitution after pleading guilty to transporting and transferring stolen goods. Prosecutors said Perez, who worked for the team from 2016 to 2021, stole millions of dollars in game-worn jerseys and other memorabilia.
Schedule Change in Charlotte
With a winter storm forecast for the Charlotte area, the NBA moved Saturday’s Wizards-Hornets matchup from 6:00 p.m. to noon ET. No other league games have been rescheduled as of Friday.
Source: Hoops Rumors
