NBA glory for world champion brothers
An understandable question brings Wagner the answer he was hoping for
November 25, 2023, 12:33 p.m
The NBA is trying to enhance its product with a tournament embedded in the regular season. This is additional motivation for the world champion brothers Franz and Moritz Wagner. Because: This year things are finally working for the Orlando Magic.
Moritz Wagner needed some help with the arithmetic game. “What has to happen so that we don’t end up in first place?” the Berliner wanted to know from the journalists at the press conference. “Is that a stupid question?” No, not at all, because others in basketball still have to get used to the NBA’s new in-season tournament and its mode.
One thing is certain, after a 113:96 win against record champions Boston Celtics, Wagner and Orlando Magic are first in Group C in the East. Only if the Celtics also lose against the Brooklyn Nets will Orlando slip to second place. And only then would a wildcard be necessary to advance in the competition with cup flair. This was not clear to Wagner and Co. when they “talked about it in the dressing room.”
The tournament introduced this season is additional motivation for Wagner. “You want to win these games, it’s special,” said the 26-year-old at the end of a big evening. With 27 points, the world champion was the best thrower of the game and just missed his personal record (30). His younger brother Franz (22) also impressed with 15 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. A combination of “energy and focus” is an essential factor for success, emphasized “Mo” Wagner: “If we play smart, we can beat anyone in this league.” The team has done a “really good job” since the start of the season.
The group games in the tournament also count towards the regular NBA table. Orlando is doing similarly well here. After six wins in a row, the team of the hour is second in the Eastern Conference with an 11:5 record, close behind Boston (12:4). Orlando missed the playoffs last season, and the forecasts weren’t good this year either – and yet it’s going well.
With Orlando’s victory, the Toronto Raptors around national team captain Dennis Schröder no longer have a chance of advancing in the in-season tournament. The Canadians’ 121:108 win over the Chicago Bulls didn’t change that. A well-rounded Schröder had 17 points and five assists. Daniel Theis and the Los Angeles Clippers lost 106:116 against the New Orleans Pelicans and also have no chance of making it to the next round of the tournament. The former Bamberger scored three points. The New York Knicks with Isaiah Hartenstein still have a chance of making it to the next round after the 100:98 win against the Miami Heat. Hartenstein contributed two points and five rebounds for the team from the Big Apple – and was able to celebrate a victory after a 21-point deficit.