Anthony Black's 22-point night fuels Magic's comeback win over Trail Blazers

Key facts

• Anthony Black scored a team-high 22 points, with 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals in the 110-106 win.
• Black made four 3-pointers and scored 11 of Orlando's first 15 points.
• Tyus Jones recorded 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting, 7 assists, and zero turnovers.
• The Magic led by 17 points before a 19-2 Blazers run gave Portland a 92-91 lead with 8:30 left.
• Desmond Bane blocked Donovan Clingan's shot with 12 seconds remaining to preserve the win.
• The road trip ended 2-2 after a 23-point loss to the Golden State Warriors.
• The Magic next face the Charlotte Hornets on Friday at 7:00 p.m. EST.

Black picks up where he left off

Anthony Black showed no signs of fatigue on the second night of a back-to-back, picking up right where he left off after a strong performance against the Golden State Warriors. He opened the scoring by pouring in 11 of the Magic's first 15 points, including three triples, and finished with a team-high 22 points, seven rebounds, six assists and two steals. While his overall efficiency left room for improvement, he connected on four 3-pointers and impacted the game in every facet. Black's continued growth this season has been a bright spot for Orlando. Growth is not linear, and he exemplifies that reality, showing flashes of brilliance even as he works on consistency.

Tyus Jones delivers season-best performance

Tyus Jones, who entered Tuesday averaging just 2.7 points through 29 games, had his best outing of the season. He made his first four baskets, including three from beyond the arc, and finished with 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting, seven assists and zero turnovers. His calming presence was evident, but Tuesday night he played with a confidence that had been missing for most of the season. The Magic needed every one of those baskets and assists, as the game came down to the wire. Jones's performance was a crucial factor in securing the win.

Magic survive fourth-quarter collapse

Orlando held a 17-point lead entering the fourth quarter, but the Trail Blazers stormed back with a 19-2 run, capped by Shaedon Sharpe's pull-up jumper, to take a 92-91 lead with 8:30 remaining. The Magic, however, recaptured the lead and never relinquished it again. For every punch Portland threw, Orlando countered with two, with the biggest being Desmond Bane's potential game-saving block on Donovan Clingan with 12 seconds left. The win was a strong response on the second night of a back-to-back, concluding the road trip with a 2-2 record. The Magic return to the court Friday against the Charlotte Hornets at 7:00 p.m. EST.

Black on resilience and Paolo Banchero's big night

In a separate context, Black reflected on a tough Game 5 loss, emphasizing the team's resilience and Paolo Banchero's 45-point performance. 'His ability to make tough shots is up there with everybody in the league,' Black said. 'We trust him in those situations. Tonight showed why we trust him and why we’re going to rock with him until we can’t.' Black noted that the team came out with the right intentions but was beaten to loose balls and rebounds, putting Detroit on the free-throw line early. 'We played a pretty good game from there, but we gave them too much early,' he said.

Filling the void with Franz Wagner out

With Franz Wagner sidelined, Black saw an opportunity to step up. 'I was playing to my strengths and being a bit more aggressive. Obviously, not having Franz out there was a bit of an opportunity, so I was trying to step into that, fill the void, and get some rhythm going,' he said. 'But obviously, I would have wanted the win instead.' Black's individual performance was a bright spot, but the loss underscored the team's need to lock in on small details, especially on the defensive glass. 'We could have been more locked in on the small details knowing they were going to come out desperate because it was 3-1,' he added.

Looking ahead: Game 6 and beyond

Black emphasized the importance of carrying the energy and rhythm from the second half into Game 6 at home. 'It’s a positive step responding to adversity and responding to runs,' he said. 'We have to take that energy and the rhythm that we caught, go home with it, and win.' The Magic will need to match Detroit's desperation, particularly on the offensive glass, where the Pistons capitalized early. Black's growth and the team's resilience will be key as they aim to close out the series.

The bottom line

• Anthony Black's 22-point, 7-rebound, 6-assist performance was pivotal in the Magic's win over the Trail Blazers.
• Tyus Jones had his best game of the season, scoring 16 points with 7 assists and no turnovers.
• The Magic survived a 19-2 fourth-quarter run by Portland, thanks to Desmond Bane's game-saving block.
• Black's growth this season has been nonlinear but promising, especially with Franz Wagner out.
• The team's resilience in responding to runs will be crucial for Game 6 against the Pistons.