Magic Vs Clippers: Desmond Bane’s 36 lifts Orlando to 111-109 escape

In the magic vs clippers matchup, the Orlando Magic responded after a gut-wrenching loss to Phoenix, escaping the Intuit Center in Southern California with a 111-109 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. The result hinged on another big night from Desmond Bane and a late defensive hold against Kawhi Leonard’s counterpunch.

Desmond Bane continues to spearhead the offense with 36 points and hot 3-point shooting

Coming off a 34-point performance in double overtime against Phoenix, Magic guard Desmond Bane picked up right where he left off as the team’s primary engine offensively. Bane scored a team-high 36 points on 13-of-19 shooting while an uncharacteristic 6-of-10 showing at the foul line stood out given he was a 92. 8 percent foul shooter on the season.

Over his previous five games he was 20-of-35 from deep, and in this two-point nailbiter he continued that hot streak, canning 4-of-6 from deep to raise his 3-point percentage to 38. 8 on the year and 43. 7 percent since the turn of the calendar. Where would they currently be without the 27-year-old? They wouldn't be in a more favorable position in the W-L column, that's for sure.

Magic Vs Clippers: Orlando led by four entering the first half at Intuit Center

Orlando held a four-point advantage entering the first half, and the Magic ultimately escaped the Intuit Center with the 111-109 result. The Clippers were just 1-of-11 from deep early, a factor that helped the Magic protect their slim lead into the break in Southern California.

Kawhi Leonard counterpunches with 25 in the second half and a 37-point game

Although Kawhi Leonard didn’t quite feel fully awake offensively early, he remained impactful and mounted a huge second-half effort. Leonard scored 25 points in the second half, including 18 in the third alone, and finished with a game-high 37 points alongside eight rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks.

Even with Leonard’s performance keeping the game close, the Clippers struggled from long range overall, managing just 5-of-23 from beyond the arc on the night.

Perimeter shooting splits and late-game balance decided a two-point finish

Perimeter shooting shaped the contest: the Clippers were 1-of-11 from three entering the first half and ended the night 5-of-23 from deep, while Bane’s 4-of-6 from long range continued a recent torrid stretch. Those contrasting shooting splits — Bane’s continued hot streak and the Clippers’ broader struggles from distance — factored heavily in the Magic escaping Los Angeles by two points.