Atlanta Sports Today

Atlanta Sports News Continuously Updated

Magic Lotto Pick Has Career Game In Regular Season Finale

by

Orlando Magic lotto pick Anthony Black

On the heels of recording 21 points, seven assists, six rebounds, and two steals in a blowout win against the Indiana Pacers, Orlando Magic guard Anthony Black just had another stellar performance. Though his team would fall to the Keaton Wallace-led Atlanta Hawks, the 2023 No. 6 had his first career double-double in the 2024-25 NBA regular season finale. Starting for the 10th time this season, Black finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds, three steals, two assists, and one block in 36.5 minutes.

Magic’s Anthony Black Has Career Game In Regular Season Finale

Wallace, who’s on a two-way contract, was able to secure his first career triple-double during the Hawks victory. However, Black helped hold the undrafted guard to 7-20 shooting from the field (35.0 percent) and 1-7 shooting from 3 (14.3 percent). At the same time, he was able to go 7-16 from the field (43.8 percent) and 3-5 from 3 (60.0 percent).

Having struggled to find the mark from behind the arc this season, his outside shooting was particularly remarkable.

That being said, Black continues to demonstrate scoring upside when he gets in the paint.

As he continues to add strength and skill, this aspect of his game could be the key to him being a star. Right now though, his inconsistency as a shot-creator is what’s holding him back from being a full-time starter. At this juncture, team leaders Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner can’t do all the heavy lifting offensively. They need a third option, which Jalen Suggs prior to his season-ending quad injury.

Black is trending in the right direction though. Largely making plays off-ball as a rookie, he only had two games scoring 15 or more points. This season, he has 16 games scoring 15 or more points, a reflection of him becoming more assertive with the ball in his hands. Nominally a point guard, the 6-foot-7 sophomore also has 18 games with five or more assists. With that in mind, he has real potential to be a two-way force in the NBA.

Though he didn’t face the stiffest competition with the Hawks resting their stars, games like Sunday’s can help people keep faith that he will be.

In The Meantime…

It’s always fun to take the long view of a player’s career.

However, what’s more pressing for the Magic is the impending postseason. In the Play-In Tournament, they’ll get a rematch against Atlanta, who they’re 2-2 against in 2024-25. With that being said, Black is in a good rhythm and the Hawks’ defense isn’t great as a whole. However, they have great parts.

Defensive Player of the Year candidate Dyson Daniels is likely to be Banchero’s primary defender. 2024 No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher is better suited to guard Wagner. With that in mind, as previously alluded to, having a player like Black to take the pressure off of Banchero and Wagner would be welcomed.

Of course, defenses will attempt to fly around and rotate. Nevertheless, their focus will be on stopping Orlando’s top dogs. Thus, Black will have the opportunity to play off-ball or take advantage of weaker defenders when they share the court.

Along with the scoring-minded Cole Anthony, he could be the x-factor offensively. When factoring in his multi-positional defense, he may even prove essential to their win.

© Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

The post Magic Lotto Pick Has Career Game In Regular Season Finale appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.