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Magic survive ejection-filled game to beat Timberwolves

Edwards held under 20 points for first time since Jan. 18

Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) goes to the basket as Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) and forward Kyle Anderson (left) defend on Feb. 3, 2023 at Target Center in Minneapolis.
Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) goes to the basket as Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) and forward Kyle Anderson (left) defend on Feb. 3, 2023 at Target Center in Minneapolis.
Jeffrey Becker / USA Today Sports

MINNEAPOLIS — Cole Anthony came off the bench to lead seven Orlando scorers in double-figures with 20 points, and the Magic rode a dominant second half to a 127-120 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday in Minneapolis.

The Magic went on an 8-0 run early in the third quarter to lead by double digits, a cushion it kept for most of the second half.

The lead swelled to as many as 22 points in the fourth quarter, after a melee late in the third quarter led to the ejections of five players. Jalen Suggs and Mo Bamba were ejected for scuffling with Minnesota's Austin Rivers, while the Timberwolves' Taurean Prince and Jaden McDaniels were tossed along with Rivers for their involvement.

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (1) shoots the ball over Orlando Magic center Mo Bamba (11) on Feb. 3, 2023 at Target Center in Minneapolis.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (1) shoots the ball over Orlando Magic center Mo Bamba (11) on Feb. 3, 2023 at Target Center in Minneapolis.
Jeffrey Becker / USA Today Sports

Bamba and Suggs were part of the balanced scoring night for the Magic, with Bamba knocking down 3-of-7 from 3-point range en route to 11 points and Suggs coming off the bench to notch 10 points.

Suggs was one of five Orlando reserves to score at least nine points. Along with Anthony's 20 on 6-of-8 shooting from the floor, Moritz Wagner added 19 points, Bol Bol shot 6-of-9 from the field for 14 points, and Jonathan Isaac scored nine points.

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Anthony also matched Paolo Banchero with a team-leading eight rebounds and dished six assists, matching the game-high. Banchero finished with 11 points.

D'Angelo Russell shot 6-of-16 from beyond the arc and led all scorers with 29 points. He grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds and added six assists.

Anthony Edwards shot just 5-of-15 from the floor as his run of games scoring at least 23 points ended at eight. He finished with 19 on Friday.

Rudy Gobert added 15 points, and Naz Reid scored 10 points off the bench. Luka Garza scored 15 of his 17 points in the final 4:20, leading a late-game rally that pulled the Timberwolves to within six points with 20.2 seconds left before ultimately falling short.

MORE MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES COVERAGE:
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If the center/forward is going to stay in Minnesota, the Wolves need to see how he fits on the floor with Towns and Gobert
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Towns finished with 22 points on 8-for-18 shooting. And he made the game-tying and game-winning free throws.
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Towns hasn’t played since suffering a calf strain Nov. 29. Edwards has missed the last two games with an ankle sprain suffered Friday.
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Prince finished one 3-pointer shy of tying the NBA record for most 3-pointers without a miss, held by Ben Gordon (twice) and Latrell Sprewell.
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Minnesota shot 44% from the field, but the team’s 27 assists told a story of progress
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Boston has won 26 of its last 31 games against Minnesota.
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Anderson is ranked sixth among all NBA players in estimated defensive plus-minus.

Minnesota Timberwolves guard D'Angelo Russell (0) reacts with referee J.T. Orr during the first quarter against the Orlando Magic on Feb. 3, 2023 at Target Center in Minneapolis.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard D'Angelo Russell (0) reacts with referee J.T. Orr during the first quarter against the Orlando Magic on Feb. 3, 2023 at Target Center in Minneapolis.
Jeffrey Becker / USA Today Sports

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This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here.

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