Jaden Hardy scored 22 points (9 during a 17-0 run in the third quarter), and the Dallas Mavericks closed the third quarter on a 20-2 run to beat the Orlando Magic 101-92.
The Magic went on an 18-7 run to lead 68-57 with 5:17 left in the third quarter. Hardy’s corner 3-pointer put the Mavericks ahead for good with 1:32 left in the quarter. He made 3 3-pointers during the run, and they led 77-70 after three quarters and by as many as 12 in the fourth quarter.
The Magic got within 82-79 on Franz Wagner’s driving layup with 8:22 to play, but Max Christie answered with a corner 3-pointer, and the Magic got no closer.
For the Magic, Paolo Banchero had 35 points (18 in the paint) and 10 rebounds, and Wagner added 20 points and 9 rebounds.
The Mavericks shot 47.4% from the field and 50.0% from 3 to the Magic’s 42.5% and 16.7%. They outscored the Magic 57-19 off the bench. The Mavericks outscored the Magic 15-2 in 4 minutes with Powell, Martin, Marshall, Williams and Hardy on the floor together.