PORTLAND, Ore. — In an impressive performance, Scoot Henderson contributed significantly to the Portland Trail Blazers’ 119-90 win against the Orlando Magic on Thursday evening, finishing the game with 23 points, seven assists, and five rebounds. Not to be outdone, Shaedon Sharpe also stepped up, matching Henderson’s point total, while Deandre Ayton added 22 points and grabbed eight rebounds, helping the Blazers secure their sixth victory in seven matches.
Leading the way for Orlando was Franz Wagner with 24 points, and Paolo Banchero added 21 points to the effort. The Trail Blazers capitalized on their fast-break opportunities, outscoring the Magic 21-5 in that category, and enjoyed a 12-5 advantage in three-pointers made during the contest.
The Blazers extended their lead to 16 points after a layup from Henderson with 8:26 remaining in the third quarter, and by the end of the quarter, Portland had surged ahead by as much as 25 points.
Reflecting on the match, it was noted that the Magic had their weakest offensive outing of the season just a week prior against the Trail Blazers in Orlando, where they scored only 79 points. Magic coach Jamahl Mosely emphasized the need for improved offensive execution, stating, “Seventy-nine points is not what you are looking to do, but we have to continue to defend and convert those turnovers and steals into points. I don’t think we did that.”
For the Trail Blazers, Henderson has been particularly hot from beyond the arc, boasting a 43.8% shooting percentage on three-pointers in January. Portland coach Chauncey Billups expressed optimism about opposing teams adjusting their defensive strategies to deal with Henderson’s shooting, stating, “I hope so, I really do. When that happens, they really won’t be able to keep him out of the paint.”
A standout moment occurred when Toumani Camara recorded two critical blocks against Banchero’s dunk attempts in the final two minutes of the first half, which served to energize the crowd at the game.
In terms of overall teamwork, the Trail Blazers showcased superior ball movement, racking up 23 assists compared to only 13 for the Magic.
Looking ahead, the Magic will be facing off against the Utah Jazz on Saturday evening, while the Trail Blazers will host the Phoenix Suns in back-to-back games on Saturday and Monday nights.
